Closing the council-
However, the move would badly hit the crofting community.
The proposal is to initially delay opening by up to three weeks in the autumn. This would be combined with increased charges for slaughtering with a suggested 50 pence extra per sheep and £1 more for cattle and pigs.
Then, next year the abattoir could shut completely risking job losses for staff.
Councillors were warned: "Closure would have a significant impact on local farming and crofting as more animals would need to be transported to the mainland for slaughter.
"Market values would drop significantly as current practice is for only premium animals to be sold for live export to be "finished" on the mainland."
An alternative would be to seek to develop a partnership with local butchers, farms, or crofting representatives to operate the facility.
Proposed abattoir closure would hit crofting community
13 January 2016