Farmer's processing plan

A DYNAMIC farmer from Herstmonceux is looking for 200 investors to help set up a major meat processing facility in the area.

Lawrence Keeley wants to form a consortium of farmers who are willing to invest in the proposed 250,000 centre, which would be installed in Southdown House Butchery at Cross-in-Hand.

'There is a need for livestock producers to have a base so they can have their meat product processed,' said Lawrence. 'Each member could use the cold stores and staff would cut and joint the meat for the producer.'

It is estimated that each beef animal sold this way would bring in an extra 370, less the extra cost of about 130, leaving 240. Sheep would make an extra 30, pigs an extra 40.

So far, only a handful of people have come forward to support Lawrence. 'The trouble,' he said, 'is that the owner of Southdown House has had an offer from a housing company, so we need to get moving soon.'

Based on a consortium of 200 people, an investment of 1,250 would be required from each member. Lawrence was keen to point out that investors from all walks of life, not just farmers, are welcome to join.

'Members of the public interested in helping local food production could also buy a stake,' he said. 'Other ventures may follow, like home delivery. The project will be called Farm Direct.'

District councillor Sylvia Tidy, a farmer in High Hurstwood, is a founding member of the Sussex Producers' Consortium. Its members are aiming to buy a similar processing plant for themselves.

'We have a feasibility study going on at the moment,' said Cllr Tidy. 'We are not ready to jump into anything like the Cross-in-Hand proposal just yet.

'Mr Keeley has obviously decided to go for this alone, which I think is a shame. It would make sense for us to pull together and work for something bigger.'

Sussex Producers' Consortium has funding from the South East England Development Agency, the NFU and the district councils of Wealden and Rother.