Pig processor reopens after major fire
The site, which processes pork for meat firm Tulip, has been closed since the incident on August 5 this year. Operations restarted on Monday (November 13) with a reduced throughput, with a view to increasing to levels before the fire.
While production has restarted, work continues on replacement offices and amenities for Quality Pork’s staff.
Quality Pork chairman Roderic Bruce said: “The extensive programme that has been undertaken to get this critically important site back up and running has been a truly collaborative effort.
‘Impact on Scottish pig producers’
“Not only has there been huge focus on getting the site back into shape, there has been a big operation in place to ensure the impact on Scottish pig producers has been minimal.”
Quality Pork worked closely with Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), the Scottish government, industry organisations and its customers to maintain the Scottish pig supply chain, while reconstruction took place at the abattoir.
Pigs eligible for Scotland’s Specially Selected Pork Brand, which would have been slaughtered at Brechin, were processed at another Tulip site specifically approved and regularly monitored by QMS representatives.
The pig processor relocated its staff to Tulip sites in England and all employees have now returned to Brechin.
‘Maintain supply’
Bruce added: “It’s great to be back in business and I would like to thank the Quality Pork team, Tulip, QMS, Scottish government, farmers, suppliers and hauliers for the great efforts and commitment that has been required in order to maintain supply of Scottish pigs.”
Quality Pork was formed in 2014 through a partnership between Scottish Pig Producers, pig industry body Scotlean and Tulip, to develop a modern processing facility for the Scottish pig industry.
The Brechin abattoir was purchased in the same year, with £10M spent on renovating the site to date – funded by private investors and a £2.7M grant awarded by the Scottish government Food Processing, Marketing and Collaboration Scheme.
Meanwhile, earlier this year, police probed a “suspicious” blaze at an abattoir in Lincolnshire.
