“Crazy Distances”: Norfolk Farmer Warns of Abattoir Shortage Impact
Norfolk Farming Leader Demands Urgent Government Action on “Alarming” Abattoir Decline
A leading Norfolk farmer has joined calls for immediate government intervention to address the “alarming decline” of small abattoirs across the UK.
Graham Shadrack, the Norfolk chairman for the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and a Breckland pig farmer of over 50 years, echoed concerns raised by MPs during a recent Westminster Hall debate highlighting the critical role of these facilities in the meat supply chain and the severe threat posed by their rapid closure.
The debate revealed that the sector is at “crisis point,” with small abattoirs reportedly closing at a rate of 10% annually, leaving just 60 operational in the UK by 2023.
Mr Shadrack welcomed the parliamentary discussion as a “positive start” but stressed that tangible government action must now follow. “The shortage of local abattoirs is a major issue for farmers in this area,” he stated. “People are travelling crazy distances to take animals for slaughter and this is not a sustainable situation.”
He called for a “round-table MPs’ meeting” as the next step, leading to “firm commitments from the government” to tackle this urgent issue.
An NFU survey of livestock farmers in the East of England painted a stark picture, with 19% indicating they would stop keeping livestock and 14% facing potential closure if the trend of abattoir shutdowns continues.
The NFU has identified several reasons for these closures, including labour shortages, lack of investment due to thin profit margins, rising waste disposal costs, and excessive red tape. Compounding these pressures is the recent controversial 20% increase in Food Standards Agency (FSA) charges for official controls, including inspections.
To address this crisis, the NFU is advocating for several measures, including a government-led independent review of the FSA’s cost structures, workforce management, and use of contractors. They also propose that charges be based on the number of animals processed at each abattoir and call for increased adoption of technology and automation, prioritised recruitment and training of directly-employed vets and inspectors, and the reinstatement of the Smaller Abattoir Fund.
During the Westminster Hall debate, food security minister Daniel Zeichner indicated that discussions with the FSA regarding potential discounts for smaller abattoirs are ongoing. “We have been working closely with the industry and the FSA in looking at how we can reduce regulatory and administrative burdens,” he said, adding that the government aims to strike a balance between maintaining proper standards and ensuring proportionate regulation. He also highlighted initiatives like the reduced administration initiative and the FSA escalation process as steps taken to assist abattoirs.
Original source: Eastern Daily Press
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