Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) has called on the Defra Ministers appointed by the new Prime Minister to maintain progress on the collaborative action underway between government, small abattoir owners and native breed farmers to reverse the decline of the crucial local abattoir network.

RBST Chief Executive Christopher Price said: “The new Government's statements on support for farming have been very welcome. It is essential that this includes considered and robust support for the infrastructure on which farming depends. For sustainable livestock farmers, access to local abattoir network is a major priority.  

“High on the agenda should be action to boost take-up of the Small Abattoir Fund, investment in existing abattoirs introduced by the previous government last December. The scheme should be reviewed as a matter of urgency to ensure it is fully accessible by those abattoir owners it is designed to help, many of whom do not have the cash flow to afford significant up-front costs and lack farmers' practical experience of filling in RPA paperwork. 

“Secondly, we urge the new Defra Ministers to ensure swift roll-out of the £3 million investment in new abattoirs announced in May. There are now many parts of the country entirely lacking a local abattoir and if sustainable livestock farming is going to survive in those areas, this loss must be reversed urgently. 

 “Finally, Ministers need to continue pressing the EU to agree to similar lighter touch regulation for smaller abattoirs in the UK that we see in much of mainland Europe. Post Brexit, we need specific permission from the EU if we are to continue to trade with Europe.”