FOOD and drink companies, large and small, are to benefit from more than £4.6 million of funding from the Scottish Rural Development Programme 2020, jointly funded by the Scottish Government and the European Union.

Speaking ahead of AgriScot 2017, rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing announced the latest round of Food Processing, Manufacturing and Co-operation grants, which will fund 15 projects supporting new products and extending existing lines, or building new facilities.

“Our food and drink industry is world-renowned for the quality of our wonderful natural larder, and is a key contributor to Scotland’s economy," said Mr Ewing. "This investment of more than £4.6 million will benefit farmers, meat packers and bakers across Scotland and further demonstrates my continuing commitment to supporting and growing that contribution.

“Not only will this funding help to create 90 new jobs, it will help safeguard 820 posts in our rural economy and help our food and drink companies expand their businesses and the products they offer."

This round of funding will see Dumfries and Galloway based meat processing company, Brown Brothers Manufacturing Ltd, extend their premises and purchase new equipment to make them more competitive, safeguarding 567 full time posts and creating 50 new jobs.

Brown Brothers managing director Alan Hill said: “Working in partnership with local and national government will enable an already successful business like Brown Brothers to grow quicker and create further economic development within D and G and Scotland.

“With the support of Food Processing, Manufacturing and Co-Operation grants funding and enabling work by D and G Council, we will construct a new energy efficient extension to our meat processing facility and install state of the art production equipment. This will allow us to efficiently increase our throughput capacity and offer a ‘one stop shop’ for our customers in fresh, chilled and frozen cooked meats. This will provide long term job security and job creation.”

The full list of grants allocated is as follows:

* James Taylor and Son receive £140,198 to upgrade equipment;

* Thomas Elder receive £39,788 to upgrade equipment;

* D A Baillie and Sons receive £98,076 to upgrade equipment;

* Castleton Fruit Ltd receive £291,047 to upgrade equipment;

* J P Gray and Sons get £230,920 for a facility upgrade;

* M A and M P Stockwell get £729,888 for an equipment upgrade;

* Caledonia Cider Co. get £51,338 for a facility upgrade;

* The Start-Up Drinks Lab get £14,938.40 for an equipment upgrade;

* Trade Solutions (Scotland) Ltd get £390,433 for a facility upgrade;

* WFM Brown Ltd get £146,208 for a facility upgrade;

* Ardgowan Distillery Company Limited get £982,723 for a facility upgrade;

* Brown Brothers (Manufacturing) Limited get £803,241 for a facility upgrade;

* Duncan Farms Limited get £570,376 for a facility upgrade;

* 1994 Enterprises Ltd (Butter Boys) get £147,888 for a facility upgrade;

* The Brewers Association of Scotland gets £40,000 for product marketing.