The majority of dairy farmers in the north-east are committed to the sector and a number of milk processing businesses are interested in investing in the region.
Those were the findings from a study into the market options for north-east dairying following Muller’s decision to close the region’s only milk processing plant earlier this year.
The factory closure has resulted in the bulk of the 43 dairy farmers, who were previously supplying the Aberdeen plant, having to pay a transport levy of 1.75p a litre to have their milk hauled south for processing.
The market options study, which was funded by north-east economic development agency ONE and Aberdeenshire Council at the request of farmers in Aberdeenshire and Angus, was unanimously backed by producers attending a meeting at Thainstone this week.
A further study, looking at specific investment opportunities for the sector, will now be carried out by ONE and Aberdeenshire Council.
ONE director of food, drink and agriculture, Peter Cook, said: “Although this has been a very tough time for many dairy producers in the north-east it’s great to hear that most intend to stay in production and as a result of the study a number of milk processing businesses are interested in investing in the area. Stage two of the study will now look in detail at each of these potential investments.”
Councillor David Aitchinson, who chairs Aberdeenshire Council’s infrastructure service committee, said: “Moving this project on to stage two means the sector now has a chance to play a pivotal part in the investigation of options for their future, with a view to securing a centre of excellence in the area.”
NFU Scotland’s regional manager for the north-east, Lorna Paterson, thanked ONE and Aberdeenshire Council for their work and also paid tribute to Alex Salmond MP for his help.
“We would look for his [Alex Salmond] continued support if producers do eventually decide there is an appetite to build this processing facility,” said Ms Paterson.
“I would also say, it is critical that we move this on as quickly as possible, as many producers need to make key business commitments, and decisions within their own businesses. These decisions will, undoubtedly be influenced by the findings of the ONE’s stage two study.”
Local Milk is Miles Better
The Press and Journal is running a campaign to safeguard the future of north-east dairy farming.
The Local Milk is Miles Better campaign sets out to drum up demand for local milk and help build the business case for a new milk-processing factory to be built in the region.
It follows dairy giant Muller’s decision to close the only milk processing factory in the region. At the moment all milk stocked in north-east supermarkets has travelled at least 100 miles before it reaches the shop shelves. It is not possible to buy milk which has been produced, processed and bottled in the region.
You can pledge your support to buy local milk if it becomes available by signing our online petition here.
