Scotland’s £700,000 pig hardship scheme opens for applications

Pig producers in Scotland can now apply for payments under the Scottish Government’s Hardship Support Scheme.

The £715,000 fund is being offered to compensate losses in the Scottish pig sector as a result of the temporary closure of Brechin abattoir due to a Covid-19 outbreak at the site in January.

Producers received £15 less from the abattoir for each pig between 8 February and 31 March.

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The amount of funding awarded will be based on the number of pigs supplied to the site during the period and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “The Covid-related closure of Brechin abattoir earlier this year and the subsequent loss of the plant’s export licence to China have had a negative impact on pig farmers, during already challenging times for the farming industry.

“We have worked closely with the sector to make sure this hardship fund provides affected farmers with adequate financial support for losses incurred through no fault of their own.”

NFU Scotland’s vice-president Andrew Connon said the hardship support recognises the impact of Covid-19 at that time and will go some way towards helping pig producers recoup losses and continue to produce quality Scottish pork.

“However, the huge challenges to the pig sector didn’t stop in May and persist with many still losing money right now. 

“Deductions continue to be made, slaughter capacity remains limited, the Chinese market remains closed and feed prices are increasing,” Mr Connon said.

The pig industry is struggling across the UK due to backlogs of pigs on farm.

This support package in Scotland comes as a stark contrast to support in England, with Defra recently rejecting a £3.2m Covid-19 compensation package for England’s pig sector.

A £4m support scheme was also introduced to help pig and poultry farmers in Northern Ireland who were hit financially by Covid-19 market disruption.

How to apply

To apply for funding, an application and supporting evidence will need to be sent to the Scottish Government.

Find the full application process on its website.

The deadline for applying is 26 September.