Warwickshire Abattoir Under Investigation

Warwickshire Abattoir Under Investigation Following Allegations of Animal Welfare Violations

Authorities are investigating serious allegations raised in a recent media article regarding an abattoir in Warwickshire. The claims have prompted a thorough investigation by local law enforcement and relevant agencies.

Detective Chief Inspector David Andrews stated, “Following our visit on Monday 3 March, we are working with partners including the Home Office and Food Standards Agency to take appropriate action regarding the issues identified. Since our visit, and in light of the footage shared by the Independent, which we believe was filmed in July 2024, we can confirm that we have recorded a suspected offence of unnecessary suffering to a protected animal under animal welfare legislation.”

DCI Andrews emphasised that while the investigation into animal welfare is underway, further details cannot be disclosed to avoid jeopardising any future proceedings.

Inspector Andi Gibbons from the North Warwickshire Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) reassured the community, stating, “Our safer neighbourhood officers will continue to engage with the community and we wish to reassure you that these matters are being dealt with. If you do have concerns, please reach out to our team.”

Residents can find their local SNT, their priorities, and contact information by typing their postcode into the interactive map on the Warwickshire Police website. Additionally, regular updates about local policing can be received by signing up to the Warwickshire Connected community messaging service.

Warwickshire Police

UK Butchers Sharpen Skills for Paris Challenge

UK Butchers Prepare for World Butchers’ Challenge at East Sussex’s Plumpton College

Team GB is sharpening its knives and skills at Plumpton College in East Sussex, as the country’s top butchers gear up for the prestigious World Butchers’ Challenge (WBC)—dubbed the “Olympics of Meat”.

The international competition, to be held in Paris in less than a month, will test teams on their butchery skills, creativity, and presentation under intense time constraints.

What Is the World Butchers’ Challenge?

The World Butchers’ Challenge brings together elite butchers from across the globe to showcase their craftsmanship in a three-and-a-half-hour challenge, turning entire carcasses into a world-class display of meat cuts, value-added products, and charcuterie.

This high-profile event not only spotlights butchery as a skilled trade, but also supports local communities. All meat processed during training and the competition is donated to local food banks, reflecting the industry’s ongoing commitment to reducing food waste and supporting families in need.

Team GB Training at Plumpton College

Plumpton College, known for its state-of-the-art butchery training facilities, has hosted Team GB for over a year. The college has played a key role in the team’s preparation, offering space and equipment for dress rehearsals and technical training.

“For us, it’s a chance to promote our industry at the highest level, and to promote the UK and the UK meat industry to the world,” said Team GB captain Ben Tindale.

Vice-captain Elsie Yardley added: “There’s no buzz like it. The energy and pride in representing your country is unmatched.”

Butchery Skills in High Demand

Principal Jeremy Kerswell of Plumpton College expressed pride in supporting Team GB, noting the broader significance of the competition:

“We’ve seen massive growth in our apprenticeship programmes, and hosting Team GB has been incredibly inspiring for our students. It demonstrates just how in-demand these skills are.”

The college’s recent investment in butchery education underlines its commitment to training the next generation of skilled meat professionals.

UK Meat Industry in the Global Spotlight

As the countdown begins, Team GB remains focused and determined to win a medal and elevate the status of UK butchery on the global stage. The World Butchers’ Challenge not only celebrates tradition and technique but also highlights the evolving role of butchers in sustainable food systems and culinary innovation.

Key Takeaways:

Team GB trains at Plumpton College for the World Butchers’ Challenge in Paris.
Butchers must create a world-class display of meat products in 3.5 hours.
All meat from training and the event is donated to food banks.
Plumpton’s investment in butchery training supports the next generation of meat professionals.

Original Source: BBC News

Illegal Meat Floods UK High Streets

Surge in Unregulated Meat Sparks Biosecurity Concerns

The UK is facing a growing crisis as illegal meat products—bypassing essential health and safety checks—are reportedly being sold on high streets across the country. The warning comes from Lucy Manzano, head of the Dover Port Health Authority, who has raised alarms over the scale and reach of this illicit trade.

Health Risks and Regulatory Gaps

These unregulated imports pose serious risks to public health and animal biosecurity, as they often:

Bypass veterinary inspections
Lack traceability
May carry diseases such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) or African Swine Fever (ASF)

The situation has intensified following recent FMD outbreaks in Germany and Hungary, prompting calls for tighter border controls and enhanced enforcement against illegal imports

Industry and Government Response

Farmers’ unions and food safety advocates are urging the UK government to:

Increase funding for border inspections
Deploy advanced detection technologies
Strengthen penalties for offenders

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) have both emphasized the need for urgent action to protect the UK’s agricultural sector and maintain consumer confidence

Conclusion

The rise of illegal meat on UK high streets is a pressing issue that threatens both food safety and livestock health. With growing concerns from industry leaders and health authorities, decisive government intervention is needed to curb this dangerous trend.

Original story: BBC News

First Dragon’s Den Winner for NZ Red Meat

Breakthrough Innovation in NZ Red Meat Processing

Renyu Zhang, a senior scientist at AgResearch, has been crowned the first-ever winner of New Zealand’s Dragon’s Den-style competition focused on red meat innovation. The contest was designed to inspire cutting-edge ideas that could transform the New Zealand red meat processing industry.

A Vision for the Future of Meat Processing

Zhang’s winning concept impressed judges with its potential to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and product quality across the red meat sector. The initiative, backed by industry leaders, aimed to uncover practical solutions that could be implemented within existing processing frameworks.

Industry Support and Collaboration

The competition was part of a broader effort to foster innovation in New Zealand’s meat industry, encouraging collaboration between scientists, entrepreneurs, and processors. By spotlighting fresh ideas, the challenge seeks to ensure the sector remains globally competitive and environmentally responsible.

Original story: NZ Herald

Dairy Cattle Dominate GB Slaughter

Dairy Herd Dominates Cattle Slaughter in Great Britain

Key Points

Over half of all cattle and calves slaughtered in Great Britain in 2024 were born to the dairy herd.
The proportion of prime cattle supply made up of dairy beef continues to grow, reaching 37% in 2024.
BCMS data shows that 2.3 million head of cattle and calves were slaughtered in Great Britain in 2024, including animals of all ages, types, and sexes. Of this total, 52% were born to the dairy herd, while the remainder were suckler-born.

Prime Cattle Supply

In 2024, 1.5 million cattle aged 12-30 months were slaughtered in Great Britain. Suckler-bred cattle made up the largest proportion of prime cattle supply, accounting for 56%. However, the proportion of suckler-bred cattle in slaughter totals has steadily declined over the last ten years, in line with the long-term decline in the population of the Great Britain cattle herd.

Dairy beef continued to grow its share of prime cattle supply, accounting for 37% of cattle slaughtered aged 12-30 months in 2024. This trend counteracts declines in both suckler beef and dairy bull calves.

Key Breeds

Aberdeen Angus X cattle made up the greatest proportion of total Great Britain slaughter for the second consecutive year in 2024. Of these, 57% were dairy beef, with the remainder suckler-born.

Limousin X cattle were the second highest proportion of Great Britain slaughter, with 80% of these cattle suckler-bred. In contrast, 84% of British Blue X cattle slaughtered in 2024 were dairy beef animals.

Original story: AHDB

FMD Case Sparks Calls for Action on Illegal Meat

Calls for Stronger Security Measures Following Foot-and-Mouth Outbreak

The UK government has been urged to deploy significantly stronger security measures to combat illegal meat imports following a case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Hungary last week.

On 6th March, Hungary confirmed its first FMD outbreak in over 50 years, with the case found on a cattle farm near the border with Slovakia. This follows a reported case of the virus in a herd of water buffalo in Germany earlier this year, the first in the country since 1988.

In response, the UK government has prevented the commercial import of cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and their untreated products, such as meat and dairy, from Hungary and Slovakia. Additionally, travellers are no longer able to bring meat, meat products, milk and dairy products, certain composite products, animal by-products of pigs and ruminants, or hay or straw from these countries to Britain.

However, the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has called for even greater measures to combat illegal imports, citing significant risks to animal health and the UK’s biosecurity. FUW President Ian Rickman stressed the importance of vigilance and enhanced security measures to protect the agricultural sector and rural economy.

Original story: FarmingUK

AIMS Launches Legal Challenge Against FSA Charges

The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS), has initiated legal proceedings against the Food Standards Agency (FSA) over the charges imposed on the meat industry.

Peter Hewson, Veterinary Director at AIMS, explained the rationale behind this decision: “Firstly, the FSA’s focus on discussing the meat charges as a ‘subsidy’ rather than addressing the root causes of the excessively high charges. Secondly, the significant increase in charges set to be introduced from April 2025, which will see an 11% rise for the industry overall and a 25% increase for medium-sized abattoirs.”

Legal counsel has advised that the challenge should address three key issues:

Unlawful Cost Inclusion: The FSA has included costs in its calculation of the new hourly rates of £65.90 for an Official Veterinarian (OV) and £43.20 for a Meat Hygiene Inspector (MHI) that cannot lawfully be included.
Transparency Issues: It is unclear which elements of the charges are “costs connected with” official controls, rather than the chargeable costs of exercising the official controls themselves, which fails to meet the requirement for high transparency.
Excessive Enforcement Charges: Charges for enforcement activities exceed the recovery of expenses allowed by the Regulations.

“Our letter asks the FSA to strip out all costs from its hourly rates that cannot be lawfully charged, and we urge them to re-evaluate their calculations,” Hewson concluded.

This legal action marks a significant step in addressing the financial pressures faced by the meat industry due to regulatory charges.

Germany Regains FMD Free Status

Major Milestone for German Agriculture and Meat Exports

Germany has officially regained its Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)-free status, a significant development for the country’s meat and dairy export industry. The announcement, made by the German Ministry of Agriculture, follows the country’s first FMD outbreak in nearly four decades.

Background: Isolated Outbreak in Brandenburg

The outbreak was confirmed on January 10, 2025, in a herd of water buffalo near Berlin, within the Brandenburg region. Fortunately, the infection was contained to a single case, and no further reports have emerged since. While the exact source remains unknown, domestic restrictions have largely been lifted.

WOAH Recognition and Export Implications

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has accepted Germany’s application to be declared FMD-free in most regions. As of March 12, 2025, all of Germany—except for a small containment zone around the original outbreak site—has been officially recognized as free of foot-and-mouth disease.

This status change is expected to:

Lift export restrictions on German meat and dairy products
Boost agricultural trade across Europe and globally
Restore confidence in Germany’s livestock health standards

Conclusion

Germany’s swift containment and recovery from the FMD outbreak have paved the way for renewed international trade opportunities. With WOAH’s recognition and most domestic restrictions lifted, the country’s meat and dairy sectors are poised for a strong rebound in 2025.

Original story: Reuters

Record Production Amid Declining Australian Cattle and Sheep Herds – MLA

Meat & Livestock Australia Projects Herd Reductions Amid Strong Global Demand

Australia’s cattle and sheep herds are forecast to decline slightly in 2025, according to Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) latest Cattle and Sheep Industry Projections. Despite the reduction, the country is achieving record red meat production, driven by high slaughter volumes and robust export demand.

Cattle Sector: Efficiency Drives Record Beef Output

The national cattle herd is expected to fall by 1.4% to 30.1 million head, influenced by:

Increased turn-off of older breeding cows
Dry conditions in Southern Australia

In 2024, Australia produced more beef than ever, even though slaughter volumes were 7% below the previous record set in 2014. This was made possible by:

Higher carcase weights
Growth in grainfed cattle production

MLA Managing Director Michael Crowley highlighted that producers are raising more efficient and productive cattle, which is essential as global beef supply tightens due to:

The US herd rebuild
Easing drought conditions in Brazil

Crowley emphasized the importance of efficient logistics and supply chain management to maintain processing flow and avoid bottlenecks.

Sheep Sector: Ewe Turn-Off and Seasonal Challenges

The national sheep flock is projected to decline by 7.4% to 73.2 million head in 2025, driven by:

Turn-off of older breeding ewes from the 2020–2022 rebuild
Challenging seasonal conditions

Key forecasts include:

Sheep slaughter to drop by 17% to 9.8 million head
Lamb slaughter to ease slightly to 26.2 million head, down 0.5% from 2024

Despite the flock reduction, lamb production is expected to reach 628,648 tonnes, supported by genetic improvements in weight gain and yield.

Crowley noted that elevated slaughter levels at the end of 2024 mean many lambs will be processed in early 2025.

Global Export Leadership

Australia and New Zealand account for over 80% of global sheepmeat exports. With New Zealand’s flock also declining, Australian exporters are well-positioned to maintain global dominance in 2025.

Conclusion

Australia’s red meat industry is demonstrating resilience and adaptability, achieving record production despite herd and flock reductions. With strong global demand and strategic supply chain management, the country is set to remain a leading exporter of beef and lamb in 2025.

UK Could See Lab-Grown Food in 2 Years

Food Standards Agency Targets Two-Year Timeline for Cultivated Food Products

Lab-grown meat, dairy, and sugar could be available for human consumption in the UK within two years, according to the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The agency is working to streamline the approval process for these innovative products, which are cultivated from cells in controlled environments similar to chemical plants.

UK Firms Push for Regulatory Reform

British companies leading the development of cultivated food technologies have faced delays due to outdated regulations. The FSA is now collaborating with high-tech food firms and academic researchers to create a new regulatory framework that ensures safety while supporting innovation.

Last month, the UK saw its first commercial sale of lab-grown dog food, marking a milestone in the sector

Global Context: Mixed Reactions to Lab-Grown Foods

Singapore was the first country to approve lab-grown meat for human consumption in 2020.
The United States followed in 2023, and Israel in 2024.
In contrast, Italy and US states like Alabama and Florida have banned cultivated meat products.

Safety and Controversy

FSA Chief Scientist Prof Robin May assured that consumer safety remains the top priority, stating:

“We are working very closely with the companies involved and academic groups to design a regulatory structure that ensures the safety of these products remains as high as it possibly can.”

However, critics like Pat Thomas, director of Beyond GM, argue that involving companies in the regulatory process could lead to conflicts of interest:

“The companies helping the FSA to draw up these regulations are the ones most likely to benefit from deregulation.”

Conclusion

With growing global interest and domestic innovation, the UK is poised to become a key player in the lab-grown food revolution. If approved, cultivated meat, dairy, and sugar could be on UK shelves by 2027, offering consumers sustainable alternatives to traditional animal agriculture.

Original story: BBC News