Fifteen Scottish rural food and drink companies are to share £3.7 million in government money.
One of the organisations which secured just under £1.6 million is a Taste of Arran, a cop-operative if firms based on the Firth of Clyde island. It plans to build a factory for the production of milk, ice-cream, cheeses and oatcakes and create 37 new jobs.
This is the tenth year of financial awards from the Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation Scheme (FPMC) which launched in 2008 and has provided a total of £30m of funding for small to medium-sized businesses across Scotland.
I'm slightly uncomfortable with these awards. The food and drink industry is no different to any other manufacturing business, therefore surely it should be supported by Scottish Enterprise. SE spends a considerable amount of taxpayers' money so why is the food and drink industry singled out for preferential treatment.
The Scottish Organic Producers Association at Ingliston will receive £8,442 of funding towards a feasibility study to investigate Scotland's current organic processing capacity. I agree with money being spent towards the 'greater good' of the country, but is it the taxpayers' place to be funding Organics Ltd of Forres which will receive £150,000 towards the salaries and associated costs of a Marketing and Sales Manager and Business Development Executive?
Many of the other beneficiaries are receiving money towards new buildings, plant and equipment. Surely it isn't up to Scottish taxpayers to pay for such capital investment when the only people who will profit are the individual companies.
When we're having to cut back on public services which benefit many, it seems rather out of place to be spending large amounts on the few.
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6 comments:
Hi SR
Maybe someone should tell the BBC that it's not "government money", it's Taxpayer's Money.
And what justification can there ever be, to pay two companies £150k EACH, to fund a couple of Sales Reps with posh titles?
Exactly Joe. I'm sure some business friends of mine will be delighted to read that because one of the 'golden rules' with Scottish Enterprise is that grants can't be used to employ staff or pay wages.
It's another EU project SR so money is no object.
I see cast iron is angry after finding out about Rumpey Pumpy's new gin palace. He feined ignorance about the palace yet it's been known about for years.
http://www.grantsexpert.co.uk/food-processing-marketing-grant-scheme.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/24/david-cameron-brochure-eu-bulding
I wonder if there is any chance of the FPMC giving me a few quid to mend the cracked pane of glass in my greenhouse.
Wouldn’t want this year’s crop of tomatoes, cucumber and peppers ruined – now would we.
Come to think of it – a new and bigger greenhouse just might be the answer.
Ah, so that's it then RM. Shame it's not done on a raffle basis. There are hundreds of SMEs which would love a handout.
John, surely you put your bid in? I don't think it was big enough. You really should have applied for a full-time Organic Adviser and Horticultural Executive.
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