Partners in Cheese (PiC) has reignited its drive for farmers to back a proposed new cheese plant in Cumbria.
An ominous two months silence followed an initial meeting with interested parties in May, but the Dutch-based consortium has now sent letters to farmers updating them on developments and advising what steps they should take to pursue their interest.
The future of the £37m plant, for which planning permission has been granted, now depends on producers committing to the project in order to trigger regional grant funding and the support of banks.
It is believed that PiC has recruited a former senior
industry executive to spearhead the campaign, but it is likely to have an uphill struggle persuading producers and financiers to back the plan when the failures of Westbury and Amelca are still fresh in the memory. It is understood that discussions with one bank have already broken down, although the company insists the delay has been caused by the complex legal process involved in setting up the co-operative that will own the plant, which will go under the name of Westlakes Cheese Company.
It is believed that some of Cumbria’s biggest farmers are already lined up to act as ambassadors for the project. But neither of the two major co-ops operating in the area - First Milk and Dairy Farmers of Britain - is interested in supporting PiC.
Dairy Crest milk purchasing director Arthur Reeves said that had Asda not awarded its own label cheese contract to DC’s plant at nearby Aspatria earlier this year, it would have closed, making PiC the white knight of the Cumbrian dairy industry, guaranteeing farmers an alternative market.
Chris Walkland
An ominous two months silence followed an initial meeting with interested parties in May, but the Dutch-based consortium has now sent letters to farmers updating them on developments and advising what steps they should take to pursue their interest.
The future of the £37m plant, for which planning permission has been granted, now depends on producers committing to the project in order to trigger regional grant funding and the support of banks.
It is believed that PiC has recruited a former senior
industry executive to spearhead the campaign, but it is likely to have an uphill struggle persuading producers and financiers to back the plan when the failures of Westbury and Amelca are still fresh in the memory. It is understood that discussions with one bank have already broken down, although the company insists the delay has been caused by the complex legal process involved in setting up the co-operative that will own the plant, which will go under the name of Westlakes Cheese Company.
It is believed that some of Cumbria’s biggest farmers are already lined up to act as ambassadors for the project. But neither of the two major co-ops operating in the area - First Milk and Dairy Farmers of Britain - is interested in supporting PiC.
Dairy Crest milk purchasing director Arthur Reeves said that had Asda not awarded its own label cheese contract to DC’s plant at nearby Aspatria earlier this year, it would have closed, making PiC the white knight of the Cumbrian dairy industry, guaranteeing farmers an alternative market.
Chris Walkland
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