Abattoirs and the Supply Chain

The Fund has been working to support farming families, small and local abattoirs, and their supply chain for a decade.

Following a round table convened by The Prince’s Countryside Fund at Dumfries House in June 2019, attended by HRH The Prince of Wales, we have commissioned research into the role and importance of abattoirs in the livestock-meat supply chain, with particular emphasis on links to small livestock farms.

The final report, due to be published in 2021, will:

• Present information on the structure and structural change in businesses along the livestock-meat supply chain (with an emphasis on abattoirs) across the UK,
• Present details of farmer’s meat marketing practices and alternative marketing and farming options should the abattoir they use close,
• Outline the challenges abattoir’s face and their role in supporting rural economy in general and smaller livestock farmers in particular and,
• Develop recommendations, based on the evidence gathered in the study.

To find out more about the research or to be kept up to date with the findings, please email Ellie Jesson, Operations Manager at info@countrysidefund.org.uk.