Concern over future of UK's only council-run abattoir

Concerns have been raised about the future of the UK's only local authority-run abattoir.

Overall use of the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar-operated facility in Stornoway, Lewis, has fallen since 2018 and last year it failed to meet its £184,000 income target.

A report to the comhairle's transport and infrastructure committee said the shortfall would need to be met from the local authority's municipal services budget.

Lochs councillor Angus Morrison urged crofters to use the abattoir or risk losing it, but he also raised some concerns fees for the service were to rise by 5%.

The committee heard that some crofters were slaughtering livestock at home, rather than putting the animals to the abattoir.

It was told there had been a decline in sheep numbers in the isles, which could also be affecting throughput at the facility.

Mr Morrison told the committee: "We have to put a message out to the users that it is either use it or lose it as far as the abattoir is concerned."

He added: "I don't think we're doing much good by putting an increase of 5% on the kill charges but I do understand that that has to happen."

Slaughter fees for a sheep will rise to about £44.

Loch a Tuath councillor Donald Crichton said crofters were being discouraged from increasing their sheep stock due to bureaucracy around farming.

Last year, the comhairle used £50,000 of Crown Estate funding to support the abattoir.

A saving of about £14,000 was also achieved by opening the site later in the year.

Reporting by local democracy reporter Peter Urpeth.