Farming Matters
Small Abattoirs:

• As previously stated from May 30th 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. (As we said before at whose cost??)

A number of organizations are trying to persuade DEFRA to ensure that small businesses remain viable as they are essential not only to the economic but also the environmental good of the countryside. The case is quoted of the need for one particular abattoir in Essex to remain open as its closure would threaten the wildlife in the area.

Burden of Blood collection threatens abattoirs;
The 'Forum of Private Business' (FPB) gives the following example ‘An Essex farmer who keeps a rare breed of bullock for meat depends on his local abattoir for slaughter. His stock grazes the marsh lands and thrive on that sort of grass. Their dung feeds the waders and keeps the area fit for other bird life. RSPB need his activity to maintain the environment, as there is no other way possible. If the abattoir closes, the whole ecosystem degenerates.’

The 'Forum of Private Business (FPB)' is campaigning on this whole issue.

Small Business Service:- Burdens of Food Regulations; Synopsis of evidence given to the Head of the Business Regulation Team at the Cabinet Office, 12 March 2003 by Garry Parker and Bob Salmon of the Forum of Private Business (FPB) who spoke for over two hours giving FPB's members' concerns over recent and proposed Regulations.

The WI is also campaigning. See their information at the WI website
www.womens-institute.org.uk/.

See also
Official Government Guidelines.

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. We are encouraged to 'Buy Local'. If all these new regulations are implemented our 'local' abattoir will soon be in France!!

V. E. Brighton, May 2003