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Food grants bear fruit
11/06/2009
New food grants totalling £2.1 million which will put even more local produce on menus and dinner tables in Scotland have been announced.
Thirteen projects have been awarded funding under the fourth and latest round of the Food Processing, Marketing & Co-operation Grants (FPMC) scheme.
Total funding to date of £16 million under the scheme has already created over 240 new jobs and safeguarded a further 2,400. The investment is expected to generate additional investment in excess of £50 million in the food and drink sector in Scotland.
Funding in this round includes over £625,000 for Angus, almost £600,000 for Lanarkshire, and nearly £300,000 for Renfrewshire.
The latest round of funding coincides with an event in Perth, organised by Scotland Food & Drink and supported by Scottish Enterprise, offering producers advice and support on how to survive the downturn and identify new business opportunities.
Successful projects announced today include:
- £189,046 for Angus Soft Fruits for the purchase and installation of a new refrigeration plant and packing line to help the company keep up with growing demand for Scottish soft fruit which has outstripped production levels
- £117,333 for potato supplier Branston Ltd to modernise the production line at its Abernethy site, minimising waste and increasing sales in the process
- £596,000 for Argent Energy (UK) Ltd to construct a new pre-processing plant for bio-diesel production in North Lanarkshire
Rural Affairs and Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said:
"This latest round of funding will help strengthen Scotland's reputation for having some of the finest, freshest produce. It's just part of the £75 million investment that we're making in the food and drink industry over the next five years.
"Although the food and drink sector is bearing up remarkably well in the current climate we remain determined to do all we can to support the industry. The scheme has already created almost 250 new jobs and helped safeguard another 2,400.
"At this month's Royal Highland Show I will unveil the next stages of our National Food and Drink Policy, the first of its kind in the UK. Food and drink impacts on many aspects of Scottish life - jobs, the environment, tourism and the health of our nation. In order for the industry to succeed in a globally competitive market it needs consistent and coherent support from Government and our agencies."
Jim Walker, managing director of Argent Energy, said:
"Argent Energy is delighted to have been awarded this important grant. Scotland's agri-food chain also stands to benefit. Our use of tallow, which is a by-product of the meat industry, adds significant value to the meat supply chain, and the funding will also create new jobs. This assistance will help underpin the future of the vitally important Scottish livestock sector."
General Manager at Branston Ltd, Eric Ritchie, said:
"We're a growing business and one that is incredibly focused on working in harmony with the environment, so being able to minimise waste and increase our sellable volume is a key objective. Introducing this new machinery will require a significant investment and we're extremely grateful that the Scottish Government is supporting us."
Today's grants are part of the National Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation Grants Scheme, which in turn is part of the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP). Grants are available to build or refurbish premises, purchase new equipment, support marketing and business development and encourage collaboration. A total of £60 million is being awarded over five years, along with £10 million through the Processing and Marketing Grant Scheme in the European Fisheries Fund, and £5 million through the Marketing Development Scheme.