ONE of the partners in the CumbrianFellbred meat brand initiative has shown an interest in buying a Furnessabattoir, writes Zoe Casson.

Last week The Westmorland Gazettereported that meat wholesalers RP Winder, which owns abattoirs inUlverston and Blackpool, had gone into receivership.

While themain depot in Blackpool had been wound up because of the effects offoot-and-mouth, the Ulverston abattoir, on Lonsdale Terrace, is to carryon operating until a buyer is found.

One of the partners ofthe business, Peter Winder, has been put in charge by KPMG CorporateRecovery receivers on a temporary license with a view to safeguarding the32 jobs at Ulverston.

The Blackpool and Ulverston businesseshave already attracted a number of potential buyers among them themanaging director of Penrith Farmers' & Kidd's plc, RichardMorris.

He has met with receivers to discuss the Ulverstonabattoir.

Until last week, PFK, a partner in the CumbrianFellbred brand scheme, used to get its supplies from RPWinder.

It has since switched business to Jewitts Abattoir, atSpennymoor, in County Durham.

Marketing manager for CumbrianFellbred, Midge Todhunter, said: "The managing director of PFK is downthere with the receivers at the moment discussing the possibility ofbuying the Ulverston abattoir.

It is maybe not as modern anabattoir as we would like but we are definitely looking at trying to buy."

Mr Todhunter this week appealed to farmers in the county whowere eligible to get a licence to move stock straight to slaughter tocontact Cumbrian Fellbred because they were "desperately short" of stockfor the brand.

Suitable beef and lamb are both in shortsupply, but beef is a particular problem.

Cumbrian Fellbred isoffering a five per cent premium above market prices, but all stock mustbe FABBL registered and come from within the county ofCumbria.

For more information on size requirements andarrangements, call PF&K on01768-862323.