Small abattoir closures ‘spells disaster’ for rural areas, campaigners warn
The closure of the only small abattoir in the Yorkshire Dales ‘spells disaster’ for the rural community, landscape and local food, campaigners have warned.
McIntyre Meats will shut down for good on 27 March after 23 years in business, serving 1,800 customers representing a range of businesses.
The family-run firm, which is located in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s own constituency in Wensleydale, cited low returns for its reason to close down.
The news follows a spate of small abattoir closures in the past two years, including Tottingworth in East Sussex, Black Brow in Cumbria, Mettrick’s in Derbyshire and, most recently, Long Compton in the Cotswolds.
With each closure, customers are forced to go further afield, putting pressure on remaining small abattoirs trying to accommodate increasing numbers.
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