Sark Dairy Seeks £25,000 for New Pasteuriser to Resume Operations

The Sark Dairy is actively seeking to raise approximately £25,000 to purchase a new pasteuriser, which is essential for restarting milk production on the island. This comes after the dairy ceased operations in April, following the departure of its previous tenants, Jason and Katherine Salisbury, who relocated back to their family farm in Suffolk and took their pasteuriser with them.

Maj Christopher Beaumont, who chairs the trust managing the dairy, announced plans to initiate both local and online fundraising campaigns to gather the required funds. This equipment is critical for eliminating harmful bacteria in milk, allowing for safe production.

Despite efforts to reach an agreement with the Guernsey Dairy to use one of their pasteurisers, the deal recently fell through, leaving the Sark Dairy without the necessary equipment to resume production. The aim is to finalize the purchase and have new tenant farmers in place by the beginning of 2026.

Maj Beaumont, who also serves as Sark's Seigneur, emphasized the importance of securing the funds to ensure the long-term sustainability and revival of milk production on the island.