NFU calls for more support for local abattoirs after latest closure confirmed

The last remaining abattoir in Hampshire is set to cease trading at the end of January.

The closure of Newman’s Abattoir, an independent family business, is a major blow to livestock farmers across the South and South East and is the latest of several small and medium-sized abattoir closures in recent years.

A new NFU survey of livestock farmers in the South East found many would be forced to cease trading if this trend continues.

Reasons for closures have included lack of labour availability, lack of available investment on infrastructure due to thin margins, increasing costs from waste disposal and red tape.

William Newman, who co-owns Newman’s Abattoir with his brother Robert, which trades as PC Turner and Ockwells Meat Company, said: “This is a very sad day for us. Our grandfather started this business in the late 1950s.

“We felt we gave a very good and much-needed service to our customers and we are sorry to them that we are closing.

“We will continue our wholesale meat business and send our own animals elsewhere for slaughter. We will support our customers and offer transport where we can to other abattoirs.”

The NFU is calling on the government to recognise the importance of small and medium-sized abattoirs as critical livestock infrastructure, support investment into these businesses and work with them to make sure official controls are proportionate and collaborative.

NFU Livestock Board Chair for the East of England Hugh Broom, who farms near Dorking in Surrey, said: “There has been a significant reduction in small and medium-sized abattoirs over the years and this latest closure is another significant blow to livestock farmers in the South East and South of England.

“Small and medium-sized abattoirs are vital to the food supply chain and the government needs to work with the NFU and help us do all we can to support and seek opportunities to grow this sector.

“Ensuring food is safe and healthy always needs to remain the top priority.

“But that does not mean over burdening operators in the supply chain with excessive red tape and treating them unfairly.”

An NFU survey of 545 livestock farmers in South East counties from Hampshire to Norfolk, found:

· 55% of respondents said they had already had to increase the cost of their product due to small abattoirs closing.

· If there were further closures 49% of respondents said they would either have to reduce their stocking levels, stop keeping livestock or cease trading.

· Of those using Newman’s Abattoir, 60% would be classed as small farmers sending less than 20 cattle or 50 sheep each year, producing direct to consumers.

The last government launched a Smaller Abattoir Fund in 2023, where £4m was available in capital grants of between £2,000 and £75,000, in recognition of the vital role small abattoirs play in the rural economy, in supporting the environment by reducing food miles and benefiting animal welfare by reducing journey time to slaughter.

The NFU would like to see this scheme continued and expanded on by the present government and any underspend from the previous scheme used to directly address the shortages in the South and South East, potentially supporting any small and medium-sized abattoirs filling the gap left by the latest closure.