Islay closure on par with Rover

11 April 2000



Islay closure ‘on par with Rover’

By FWi staff

THE effect of the closure of the Islay cheese factory has been likened to the selling-off of Rover for the islands small community of farmers and crofters.

The end of cheese production on the Hebridean island is symptomatic of the decline of Britains dairy industry, according to the creamerys manager.

Jack Phillips tells The Guardian that the end of production is a massive blow to the islands 3000-strong community.

Eight jobs are expected to be lost at the factory. But additional redundancies are expected as farmers who supply the milk for the cheese scale down production.

“There may be about 30 jobs that go. And 30 jobs in a population of 3000 puts it on a par with Rover,”said Mr Phillips.

• Cows slaughtered as creamery closes, FWi, yesterday (10 April, 2000)

• Farmers give Islay Dunlop the kiss of life, FWi, 22 May, 1998
• The Guardian, 11/04/00, page 10