Security beefed up as blaze-hit abattoir reopens

BRECHIN’S £10 million pig abattoir will reopen on Monday with roundthe-clock security guards.

Production was halted in early August when fire ripped through the building and police inquiries are still continuing into the cause of the blaze.

Foul play has not been ruled out and that has led to a rethink of security at all abattoirs across Scotland.

The Brechin plant is run by Quality Pork Ltd, a company formed by a collaboration between pig farmers and the major processor Tulip Ltd.

Scottish Pig Producers chief executive Andy McGowan said there had been major investment in new systems and security and a board meeting later this month will decide if the 24-hour presence should be continued.

While most of the fire damage was to outbuildings, including a staff canteen, offices and storage shed, smoke and heat penetrated the roof space of the main building and caused significant damage to technical kit which has had to be replaced.

Mr McGowan said the company had been dependant on the Tulip plant at Ashton under Lyme near Manchester and Cookstown in Northern Ireland to take the Scottish pigs that were originally destined for Brechin.

“The closure trebled our transport distances and put pressure on sister plants in England who aren’t sitting with much spare capacity or haulage, so it’ll make a huge difference to get back to normal,” he said.

The company has been working towards the reopening date for the last five weeks and will restart production with a half week, eventually resuming to a throughput of 6,000 pigs a week.

Proposals are under way to improve the play park at Dochart Terrace.