Farming Matters
Small Abattoirs:

• As from April 3rd 2003 all abattoirs will be required to have underground, refrigerated storage for blood collection
• From July 2003 there will be micro-biological testing of all equipment (literally - including knives etc) and meat. (At whose cost??)
• It is intended to bring in the full costs of recovery of meat inspection charges in place of the current headage payment for low-throughput abattoirs. If the new ruling is followed, the cost of the attendance of an inspector at a small abattoir could rise from £3 to £100 per carcase.

If these new charges and regulations are implemented it is likely that every low-throughput abattoir would close which would mean the loss of slaughter facility for organic and specialist meats. The effect would knock on to Farmers’ Markets and farm shops, small butchers, etc.
If there is a loss of livestock in some areas it could even impact eventually on the tourist industry.

DEFRA is looking into the matter and plans to hold consultations but talks of 'waiting until the Act is passed to see what effect it will have'. Asking questions before the Act is passed seems to be more effective so as to protect Rare Breeds, the environment and the livelihoods of all who depend on the small abattoirs. Otherwise what will happen to local producers, small farmers, Farmers Markets and local food initiatives like 'Taste of the West', 'Devon Food Links' and many others?

One suggestion is that small abattoirs could qualify for Artisan Status giving craft-trade exemption from factory regulations. DEFRA is looking into the possibilities. They need to be positively encouraged to follow this up and to ask the questions below as well. Do write to your MEP, MP and the Ministers concerned expressing your support for the industry before it is too late!

• It appears that the imports from other EC countries do not incur the same costs on inspection, which raises a number of issues as to why this is so:-
• What qualifications are required of the veterinary inspectors on the continent? Are the rules being changed to make the qualification requirements standard across the EU (whether this is more or less than at present in the UK) thus bringing the costs for inspection to the same level across the EU?
• Is the level of inspection the same as in the U.K. - every animal, every time?
• Is the standard of inspection fully in line with that in the U.K.?

If the answer to any of these questions is ‘NO’ then we should seriously ask:

• WHY NOT?

As said before:-
The meat produced by our own small farmers is of high quality, inspected to the highest standard and with due regard to animal welfare. The idea of trucking animals for miles to the nearest large abattoir is a nonsense for reasons of environmental damage, animal welfare and cost.

T. W. Brighton, December 2002