‘Positive’ talks over by-product concerns

Farm leaders have hailed a “constructive and positive meeting” with the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) over concerns about the use of distillery by-products in renewable energy plants.

The meeting, which took place in Edinburgh, follows a number of farmers hitting out at the use of distillery by-products, such as draff and pot ale syrup, in biomass and anaerobic digestion (AD) plants.

Glenlivet farmer Alastair Nairn, who is environment spokesman for the Scottish Tenant Farmers’ Association (STFA), said: “There was agreement that the dialogue between whisky producers and livestock farmers should be continued and expanded to include the wider supply chain, such as feed merchants.

“This would create a wider understanding of seasonal and regional fluctuations in the availability of distillery by-products and the corresponding demand from livestock producers.

“There was also general agreement that a collaborative approach should be adopted to create a more stable market and it was hoped that the Scottish Government would assist in this endeavour.”

SWA acting chief executive Julie Hesketh-Laird said: “We’ll continue to work with farmers, the Scottish Government, environmental regulators and others to help facilitate supply chain discussions with an interest to balance by-product supply into the UK feeds market and our overall sustainability ambitions.”