Abattoir Users Survey
Our Abattoir Users Survey was carried out in collaboration with National Craft Butchers between 16th August and 22nd September 2022. The results of this survey were shared with Defra in order to make the case for funding for the small abattoir sector.
The survey received over 1,300 responses from a range of farmers, smallholders and food businesses right across the UK. It highlighted the crucial importance of a diverse network of abattoir services for the viability of many farming and food businesses.
- 88% of respondents said their closest abattoir is either essential or important to the success of their business.
- 64% feel the availability, or lack of availability, of a local abattoir has impacted their future business plans.
- 64% said they would be interested in cooperative-owned abattoirs and 81% expressed an interest in mobile abattoirs.
Read our press release here.
A Good Life and A Good Death
The Sustainable Food Trust 2018 report, A Good Life and A Good Death: Relocalising Farm Animal Slaughter found that the UK’s network of small local abattoirs is near collapse. The report sets out the reasons for these closures and states that, without urgent action, there will be a huge loss of consumer choice because the marketing of locally-produced, traceable meat will no longer be possible in many parts of the country.
The SFT called on the Government to:
- Make a clear statement of support that it recognises the vital importance of smaller abattoirs, and make this a matter of practical policy across all government departments and agencies;
- Work constructively with interested parties to make possible the use of mobile and small static red meat abattoirs for on-farm slaughtering;
- Set up a task force with joint government, industry and consumer representation, to establish why small abattoirs are closing and propose innovative and practical solutions to ensure their survival.
Local abattoirs play a vital role in all rural communities where farm animals are kept. When they close, both animals and meat have to be transported much further. This is bad for animal welfare and bad for the environment. It also threatens the ongoing renaissance of local food cultures. On my own organic farm, I have had to change abattoirs nine times over the last 30 years in order to keep our farm shop supplied with the meat from our own animals, as seven of those closest to me have closed and two became unsuitable for other reasons. I now have to take our animals almost 40 miles to get them slaughtered and it costs a great deal to get the carcases delivered back to our shop.
SFT Policy Director, Richard Young
Abattoir Sector Group
Our Campaign for Local Abattoirs began in 2018 with National Craft Butchers and support from other organisations including the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and Pasture for Life. This contributed to an inquiry undertaken by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare whose 2020 report recommended the creation of an Abattoir Sector Group (ASG). We co-founded the ASG later that year and work closely with the other members of the steering group to provide a unified voice for the small and local abattoir sector, advising government on behalf of the industry.
Steering group members include:
- Sustainable Food Trust
- All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare
- National Craft Butchers
- Animal Health and Welfare Board for England
- Prince’s Countryside Fund
- Rare Breeds Survival Trust
- Pasture for Life
- AIMS
- Fir Farm
Join the ASG
The ASG is open to members who wish to support the aims and work of the group. Please get in touch or visit the website if you would like to find out more.
Abattoir Sector GroupVideos
Further Reading
All Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare
The Future for Small Abattoirs in the UK: Report on an inquiry into small red meat abattoir provision
Read the report
The Prince’s Countryside Fund
All On The Table: An economic analysis of the role and viability of small abattoirs in the red meat supply chain
Read the report
