First
Milkhas announced plans to build a
state-of-the-art creamery on the Mull of Kintyre peninsula in
Scotland.
The new plant will replace the existing Campbeltown creamery -
which was built in the 1820s - and will be funded by a £3.9m
Scottish government
grant, proceeds from the sale of the co-op's old creamery site to
Tesco and the co-op's own
funds.
First Milk said the creamery was worth £11m to the local economy
and the plans effectively secured the future for 100 jobs and the
42 dairy farms that supplied it. Over 200 jobs would also be
created at the new Tesco store.
"This substantial investment is a great boost for the peninsula
of Kintyre and the dairy sector," Scotland's rural affairs minister
Richard Lochhead said when he visited Campbeltown today (1
July).
"I made it clear at our recent Dairy Summit that we are
committed to doing all we can to support the Scottish dairy sector.
Our largest-ever grant for a dairy company in Scotland proves that
we are willing to turn words into decisive action."
Peter Humphreys, First Milk chief executive, added: "The
creamery and the dairy farming community on the peninsula are
mutually dependent, and this new investment secures the future of
the dairy industry in this part of Scotland."
He was "delighted" that Tesco was involved with the project and
was optimistic about the future of the Mull of Kintyre cheese
brand, which is produced at the creamery.
NFU Scotland president Jim
McLaren called the announcement a "shot in the arm" for dairy
farmers. "Confidence among dairy farmers is in need of a boost and
this significant investment in modern plant to produce an
award-winning product maps out the route to reinvigorating the
dairy sector across Scotland."
