Smaller abattoirs are the backbone of many rural communities in the UK. They provide vital services for farmers, ensuring the humane slaughter of livestock and offering options for “casual slaughter” or processing animals for farm shops and local butchers.
However, a worrying trend for the farming industry has emerged in recent years, with the number of smaller abattoirs in the UK Between 2018 and 2022 alone, the red meat sector saw a 25% decrease in the number of smaller players, while the poultry industry experienced an even steeper decline of 40%.
The Smaller Abattoir Fund was launched by the Conservative government in December 2023, and aims to turn the tide and secure the future of these crucial players in the food supply chain. Applications are open until the 30th September 2024 or until all money has been allocated to the successful applicants.
What is the fund and what does it offer?
The Smaller Abattoir Fund is a £4 million cash injection designed to specifically support smaller red meat and poultry abattoirs across England. Grants range from £2,000 up to a maximum of £75,000 (an increase from the initial £60,000 cap announced in December 2023) and cover up to 50% of eligible costs. These costs can include investment in a wide range of improvements.
NFU Chief Livestock Adviser John Royle, said “Having a genuine mix of scale and spread of abattoir businesses is vitally important,” and that “smaller abattoirs provide vital casualty slaughter and private kill services, supporting farm shops and added-value diversifications.” The Sustainable Food Trust also issued a statement on X, formerly Twitter, stating “The increase to a 50% grant and a maximum amount of £75,000 makes the Smaller Abattoir Fund much more viable for smaller operators and will help sustain the vital small abattoir network.”
The UK Farming Minister at the time, Mark Spencer said “England’s abattoirs are critical to livestock farmers who provide their high-quality products to local butchers and farm shops up and down the country”. He also went on to say that “This £4 million fund will not only help smaller abattoir and mobile business owners to innovate, invest and improve standards, but it will give farmers, particularly those who produce native and rare breeds, more stability in getting their products to market.”
Who can apply?
The fund is open to applications from FSA-approved red meat and poultry abattoirs in England that slaughter up to 10,000 livestock units per annum for red meat or up to 500,000 birds (based on 2022 throughput data). This ensures the financial support reaches those smaller businesses that need it most.
The fund offers grants to help eligible businesses improve their operations in several key ways:
- Boosting productivity: grants can be used for equipment that streamlines processes and increases efficiency.
- Enhancing animal welfare: investments that improve animal handling and holding facilities can be supported by the fund.
- Adding value to products: the fund can help finance equipment for processing meat into higher-value cuts, sausages, or burgers.
- Embracing innovation: grants can be used to adopt new technologies that improve efficiency, sustainability, or other aspects of your business.
Eligible investments include:
- Cold storage units
- Improved lairage facilities
- In-house processing equipment
- Waste disposal solutions
A brighter future for rural communities
The Smaller Abattoir Fund has the potential to make a significant difference for rural communities across England. By helping smaller abattoirs thrive, the fund safeguards vital services for farmers, promotes higher animal welfare standards, and strengthens the local food supply chain. This, in turn, benefits consumers who value locally-sourced, ethically-raised meat products.
How can Livetec help the welfare of your animals?
Livetec have been developing bespoke Contingency Plans for UK broiler and pig businesses for over 6 years, and our Biosecurity Advisory Service is the first step in establishing the most effective defences against disease incursion on your farm.
Find out more today and contact us here.
