Eustice wrong to say small abattoir network is sufficient

Campaigners demanding support for small, local abattoirs amid changes to livestock journey times have criticised Defra secretary George Eustice’s claims this is not needed.

Mr Eustice suggested at the recent Groundswell event that the UK has a broad distribution of abattoirs that will meet farmers’ needs.

See also: Small abattoirs – how farmers are fighting for their future

Yet a third of small abattoirs have closed in the past 10 years and, with only 62 now left, livestock must be transported for longer distances. 

Christopher Price, chief executive of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, has written to Mr Eustice pointing out that abattoir availability is one of the biggest challenges for livestock farmers with native breeds.

“Even if there is an abattoir within a reasonable distance, many of the larger-scale ones are single-species, whereas producers with rare and native breeds often rely on a mixed farming system with several farmed species to make their farming business viable,” said Mr Price.

Many abattoirs don’t accept small numbers, slaughter cattle over 30 months or accept horned cattle and large pigs.

Fifth quarter

In his letter to the Defra secretary, Mr Price also says many farmers add value to their produce by making use of the “fifth” quarter.

Accessing this part of the animal required a “supportive and local” abattoir network.

Another problems is that not all abattoirs have organic certification, while some will not scald and remove hair from outdoor-reared pigs, instead skinning the animals, which reduces their saleable value.

“So, even if there is a large abattoir in the locality, it may not be of benefit to local producers,” said Mr Price.

He has issued an invitation to Mr Eustice to visit a rare breed farmer to hear first hand how they have been affected by the decline in the small abattoir network.

He also wants to discuss a path forward through collaboration, including support from government for mobile or “pop-up” abattoirs.

Ownership

Farmers, Mr Price added, also needed to take ownership of this issue, by using local facilities.

“This is not about government subsidising the abattoir network. It is about farmers working for the long term and government offering one-off investment, as part of its general investment in production, to prepare the sector to thrive in a more market-facing world.”

The government consultation on journey times closed on 25 February 2021, but no date has been set for the next stage in this process.