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Support for food sector
08/12/2009
Sixteen food businesses have been awarded more than £1.1 million by the Scottish Government in the latest round of funding from the Food Processing, marketing and Co-operation Scheme (FPMC).
The money is part of £20 million allocated so far will create 77 jobs and safeguard 507.
Recipients include:
- Highland Game Ltd will receive £116,238 to build an extension and purchase new equipment including machines to print their distinguishing labels.
- Malcolm Allan Ltd plan to upgrade facilities and equipment to make the business more efficient using a £103,944 grant
- Festival favourites Argyll Food Producers Limited will receive £29,000 to promote their goods to a wider audience
Food Secretary Richard Lochhead said:
"We are continuing to strengthen Scotland's reputation as a world-renowned food producer and the Saltire is recognised across the globe as a stamp of outstanding quality. Sales of Scottish brands are up 21 per cent across Scotland, England and Wales in just two years, while Scottish food and drink exports have also increased.
"These latest grants represent a small but significant slice of the funding that will allow many Scottish companies to develop and help ensure locally sourced produce is available to everyone around the country.
"Retail sales of Scottish produce have increased significantly in recent years and with Christmas fast approaching I hope to see more Scots looking towards local fare for their festive menus."
Malcolm Allan of Malcolm Allan Ltd said:
"This award will help us to increase turnover, create jobs, be more efficient both from a production and energy perspective. Demand for our products has never been greater and this award will let us take advantage of that.
"The importance of financial support to the sector cannot be over emphasised."
FPMC is one of the funding mechanisms within the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP).
All projects funded in this round are:
- Stuart Grant Quality Meats £21,349
- Henshelwood's Fine Foods £9,436
- Scot Chip Ltd £108,552
- Malcolm Allan Ltd £103,944
- Caledonian Marts (Stirling) Ltd £10,406
- Stewarts of Tayside Ltd £64,293
- Eyemouth Freezers Ltd £194,868
- A.K. Stoddart Ltd £7,720
- Highland Game Ltd £116,238
- Scotland Food and Drink £101,209
- Scottish Quality Certification Ltd £97,200
- Quality Meat Scotland (Marketing) £75,000
- Quality Meat Scotland (Feasibility) £18,000
- Wishaw Abattoir £6,318
- Q&Q Foods £177,864
- Argyll Food Producers £29,100
- Total £1,114,287
To date, 114 projects have been awarded £20m from FPMC which will support £72m of new investment in the industry while safeguarding 3,473 jobs and creating 385 new jobs.