A collaboration brokered amongst Scotlean Pigs, Scottish Pig Producers and Tulip (subsidiary of co-op Danish Crown) has resulted in a new entity Quality Pork Limited (QPL) taking ownership of the Brechin processing plant from AP Jess Ltd, reports the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society (SAOS). This will enable investment to take place to expand the plant.

Commenting on the purchase, Patrick Stephen on behalf of QPL explained: “Buying the Brechin facility means we can now process Scottish pigs from Scottish farmers, right here in Scotland, which is great news for the whole of the Scottish farming industry. We plan to invest in upgrading the current site by adding a new slaughter line, chilling and lorry wash facilities, which will increase the capacity of the operation and in turn allow us to meet the growing demand for quality Scottish pork here in the UK as well as the export market.

“The Scottish government has been very supportive of this initiative and I am confident that by working closely with Quality Meat Scotland, Scottish Pig Producers, Scotlean and Tulip Ltd we can help secure the future of the Scottish pig industry.”

Commenting on the agreement, Andrew Saunders, Director of Agriculture at Tulip Ltd, said:“The purchase of the facility by QPL is fantastic news for the whole of the Scottish pig industry and their planned upgrade to increase the site’s capacity will mean that even more people across the UK and further afield will be able to enjoy quality Scottish pork.”

Bob Yuill, Deputy Chief Executive of SAOS, provided advice and commented: “It is very significant that the plant is now effectively in the hands of pig producers. This strategic collaboration amongst the co-ops is hugely important and an example of the kind of cross-European partnership that we need to see more of.”