A CALL has been made for “a key part of the food supply chain” to be given support during the coronavirus crisis.

Belhaven Trout Company was encouraged by Scottish Government officials to apply for the Aquaculture Hardship Fund, only for the application to be rejected.

The fund is a £3 million pot designed to support trout farmers and shellfish growers during the Covid-19 pandemic and has been accessed by dozens of businesses across the country.

Unfortunately, Billy Ferrans, who owns the Dunbar-based business, was unsuccessful in his bid to secure a grant of up to £27,000.

Michelle Ballantyne, South of Scotland MSP, visited the business to find out more about the difficulties it was facing.

She said: “Businesses like the Belhaven Trout Company form a key part of the food supply chain, as well as helping to boost Scotland’s tourism industry at a time when it is more important than ever.

“There’s nothing to stop the Scottish Government from creating a new fund to support businesses like Belhaven, or from considering their case on an individual basis.”