Nearly £3.5m distributed to food and drink producers across Scotland

Vegetables - image credit: Kate Shannon

Nearly £3.5m in funding will be distributed to help food and drink producers across Scotland expand their operations, Fergus Ewing has announced.

The Rural Economy Secretary said the funding, which will be split between 13 different businesses, will be used to “support sustainable cooperation and collaboration from primary production and processing to the market”.

Whisky business Douglas Laing & Co Ltd will receive the largest share of the funding after winning £855,430 towards the construction of a new distillery in Glasgow.

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Maxwell Farms Limited will be awarded £634,783 for a washing, grading, overwrapping and retail packing facility for its vegetable processing business.

Meanwhile the smallest sum, £43,400, will go to Scottish Islands Abattoir Association to fund a feasibility study on the economic sustainability of its abattoirs.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “Scotland’s food and drink industry is a cornerstone of our economy, environment and culture, and the quality of our produce is world renowned.

“We are announcing £3.5 million of new funding for 13 organisations across Scotland which will support sustainable cooperation and collaboration from primary production and processing to the market, so industry can continue to flourish.

“I congratulate each recipient of these awards, and wish them the best of luck for the future.”