A NEW abattoir could be developed for the crofters of Lewis and Harris – but only if the necessary funding is secured first through the much-vaunted 'Islands Deal' from the Scottish Government.

The details of that investment programme have yet to be unveiled but is expected to result in a multi-million-pound windfall to the local authorities covering the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland, under a similar arrangement as that awarded to the city regions.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council), which runs the Stornoway abattoir, caused consternation among the crofting community when an internal report floated the idea of its closure, the site being sold to a developer and a new facility established elsewhere.

Crofters were concerned that if the abattoir was to close, there was little chance of a new facility ever seeing the light of day due to financial constraints. No abattoir on the island would leave crofters having to take stock to Dingwall for slaughter.

But after discussions, the council agreed to shelve the closure plans for the time being and "officers further investigate the options that may exist under the Islands Deal".

Councillor John A MacIver, who is also a crofter, said: "If there was no abattoir on the island we would have to take stock over to the mainland and there would be very few willing to do that. All that would happen is you would go back to the days of home-kill."

Mr MacIver said he would "very much like to see a new, modern facility", but "we need to see the money being in place first before we close what we've got".