The elected members at Development and Infrastructure Committee at Orkney Council have given their backing to a report on the proposed establishment of an Orkney Dairy Support programme.

The proposal is looking to coordinate millions of pounds of investment to inject into the Orkney diary sector. The money would provide financial support to the local dairy farm industry to enable them to implement modern efficiency measures which would boost local milk supply whilst reducing the sector's carbon impact.

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The proposals follow on from representations from local industry around the challenges and pressures being felt by the wider milk supply chain in Orkney, with that local industry having played a key role in the refining of the proposals.

The final establishment of the programme is subject to match funding from partner agencies.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We are aware of the need to increase local dairy supply on Orkney and the councils is looking at establishing a support programme. We are keen to see the proposals and consider what support can be provided.”