Farmers' views sought to save small abattoirs from 'devastating' inspection charge increases

How vital are abattoirs to farm businesses and what impact does a closure have to a business?

Chris Brayford
clock • 3 min read
Megan Perry, head of policy and campaigns at the Sustainable Food Trust, said: "Abattoirs have already declined from 2,500 in the 1970s to just 200 today and further closures will leave farmers with nowhere to go. From our initial research, it is clear that losing these services could have a devasting impact for local meat businesses and sustainable livestock farming."
Image:

Megan Perry, head of policy and campaigns at the Sustainable Food Trust, said: "Abattoirs have already declined from 2,500 in the 1970s to just 200 today and further closures will leave farmers with nowhere to go. From our initial research, it is clear that losing these services could have a devasting impact for local meat businesses and sustainable livestock farming."

A new survey has been launched to understand how vital abattoirs are for farmers and their businesses as pressure mounts on the impact potential increased cost changes could have on the sector. Organisations...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

More on Farm Business

Farmers face 'crisis' as bluetongue drives fallen stock surge

Farmers face 'crisis' as bluetongue drives fallen stock surge

NFU has called on Defra to deliver an 'emergency support package' to help farmers hit by bluetongue, with the cost of getting rid of dead stock.

Rachael Brown
clock 17 August 2026 • 2 min read
Teenage dairy farmer launches 'game-changing' app to reduce farm admin burden

Teenage dairy farmer launches 'game-changing' app to reduce farm admin burden

Young entrepreneur Ben O'Connor is blazing a trail by building a farming app based on his personal experience on the family dairy farm

Lois Pearson
clock 17 August 2026 • 3 min read
NatWest ramps up support for farmers as drought pressure increases

NatWest ramps up support for farmers as drought pressure increases

The banks agriculture team says it is proactively engaging with customers and making a range of tailored financial support measures available

Mia Willemsen
clock 15 August 2026 • 2 min read