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Uncertain future for small abattoirs as costs rise

James Ingham, Henfield
BBC News,
BBC/James Ingham Man in white coat looks directly at camera in his abattoirBBC/James Ingham
Luke Smith, owner of Down Land Traditional Foods, says small abattoirs like his are struggling to survive

The owner of one of the last remaining small abattoirs in the South East has said he is "incredibly concerned" about the future of the industry.

Luke Smith, who runs Down Land Traditional Meats in Henfield, West Sussex, said without more financial support from the government his slaughterhouse may not survive.

He said that would impact farmers who choose to supply butchers and farm shops, rather than supermarkets.

The government said it is "committed to working with the meat processing sector in tackling the challenges they face".

The cost of disposing of animal waste has risen to £5,000 a week.

"An ageing workforce is also a challenge" Mr Smith said, "the average age of a slaughterman is 63. Young people are not interested in coming in to the industry.

"The abattoir is not viable and is making a loss. I'm running a wholesale butchery, that's what's keeping our business alive.

"We do need support and funding."

BBC/James Ingham Edward and several other staff behind the meat counter at a farm shop. Various meats like sausages and burgers are behind a glass counterBBC/James Ingham
Edward Perrett says having a small abattoir nearby allows him to sell beef he has reared in his own farm shop

The number of abattoirs in the UK has fallen from about 2,500 in the 1970s to 203 by 2023.

Smaller operations in England fell from 64 in 2019, to 49 in 2023, with five closing in 2024.

Farmer Edward Perrett from Ditchling, West Sussex, uses Mr Smith's abattoir, selling the meat to customers in his farm shop.

"To have a short journey to an abattoir is good for animal welfare and it keeps the cost down" he said.

"If the abattoir closed down it would make life very difficult."

BBC/James Ingham MP Andrew Griffith, wearing a light blue shirt and blue jacket, looks at the camera outside the abattoir.BBC/James Ingham
Conservative MP for Arundel and the South Downs, Andrew Griffith says there is a "real crisis" facing small abattoirs

Mr Smith has the support of Arundel and South Downs Conservative MP Andrew Griffith.

Mr Griffith said: "This is a vital, sometimes neglected part of our food supply chain. There is a real crisis here.

"The last government set up some grants but we need even more than that and crucially, less red tape."

BBC/James Ingham Two men, wearing white overalls and hair nets, stand in the chiller section of an abattoir, carcasses hanging from rails all around them.BBC/James Ingham
MP Andrew Griffith was given a tour of Luke Smith's abattoir in Henfield

A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: "Small abattoirs make a vital contribution towards maintaining our resilient food supply chain and provide a competitive route to market for producers of rare and native breeds.

"We are investing £5 billion into farming, the largest ever budget for sustainable food production, and are unlocking rural growth with reforms to boost farmers' profits."

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