UK Abattoir Numbers Plummet to 203
Loss of Local Abattoirs Hits Farmers and Welfare
The number of licensed abattoirs operating in the UK has fallen to just 203, down from around 2,500 in the 1970s, raising concerns over animal welfare, farmer viability and local food supply chains.
According to Sustainable Food Trust, the decline is forcing livestock to travel longer distances to slaughter, increasing costs and welfare pressures while limiting farmers’ ability to sell meat locally and direct to consumers.
The impact is particularly acute for the organic sector, where the Trust reports that 19% of organic farmers have been forced to stop selling meat as organic due to a lack of suitable local processing capacity. Smaller producers often rely on nearby abattoirs to maintain traceability, quality and welfare standards demanded by premium markets.
Industry observers warn that continued consolidation risks locking producers out of higher-value routes to market, while concentrating processing capacity in fewer, larger plants. This trend can reduce resilience during disruptions and makes it harder for new entrants and niche producers to operate profitably.
The Sustainable Food Trust has called for policy intervention to protect remaining facilities and support investment in small and medium-scale abattoirs, arguing that local processing is essential to high welfare standards, rural economies and consumer choice.
Source: Sustainable Food Trust | 3 February 2026
Read full article Share on X