'Sad day' as First Milk confirms creamery closure

"IT IS a sad and significant day for dairy production on the Isle of Bute," was how NFU Scotland milk policy manager George Jamieson reacted yesterday to confirmation that the Rothesay Creamery will close tomorrow.

The news, which was not unexpected, came from owner First Milk, which said that the majority of the 19 employees will leave the business tomorrow, with a small number being retained to mothball the site.

First Milk will now transport the milk supplied by its Bute farmers to the Scottish mainland. Jamieson said the union would help dairy farmers on the island to examine what options are available to them.

"A huge part of that process will be the information provided by the ongoing study being carried out by SAC and due to report before the end of May.

"The study may tease out whether any other viable alternatives are available to the island's dairy farmers, if there are any opportunities to add value to the milk on the island and whether those producers still see their future in milking cows."