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On Wednesday, December 13, the government announced the launch of the £4 million Smaller Abattoir Fund aimed at enhancing the sustainability and operational efficiency of smaller red meat and poultry abattoirs throughout England.

The smaller abattoir segment plays a crucial role in ensuring British food security and provides farmers with a competitive market option, especially those serving local butchers and farm shops with a variety of meat products. These facilities facilitate easier access for farmers to market their goods, uphold animal welfare by minimizing transport times to slaughter, support farmers who raise rare and native breeds, and contribute to the social and economic vitality of rural communities.

Capital grants ranging from £2,000 to £60,000 will be awarded under the Smaller Abattoir Fund to assist smaller abattoirs in England with improving productivity, promoting animal health and welfare, enhancing the value of primary products, and fostering innovation and investment in advanced technologies.

Eligible investments include a wide range of capital purchases, such as cold storage units, which will augment refrigeration capacity for processing. This improvement allows abattoirs to boost production rates and alleviates the delays many farmers face when processing stock.

This initiative is part of the government’s broader commitment to advancing standards of animal health and welfare, which includes financial support to develop facilities that aid stressed or fatigued animals in recovering from loading and transportation.

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will directly contact all qualifying smaller abattoirs over the coming days to explain the application process.

Farming Minister Mark Spencer commented:

Abattoirs in England are vital for livestock farmers who deliver their premium products to local butchers and farm shops throughout the nation.

This £4 million fund is designed not only to enable smaller abattoir and mobile business owners to innovate and invest in better standards but also provides farmers, especially those with native and rare breeds, more assurance in getting their products to market.

Today’s announcement follows key commitments made on Back British Farming Day in September, aimed at reducing unnecessary burdens on smaller abattoirs, aiding farmers in accessing both local and global markets, and ensuring they receive fair prices for their products.

This initiative also builds upon government efforts to enhance fairness within the supply chain, as detailed at this year’s Farm to Fork Summit, which includes upcoming new regulations for the dairy and pig sectors next year, an ongoing consultation regarding the egg industry, and a forthcoming consultation on horticultural supply chains.

John Mettrick, Chair of the Abattoir Sector Group stated:

I am thrilled that the Smaller Abattoir Fund has been launched. This reflects the government’s understanding of the vital role that small abattoirs play for farmers, butchers, and the entire rural supply chain.

This fund has been developed collaboratively by Defra, the Food Standards Agency, the Abattoir Sector Group, and the meat industry. I encourage abattoir businesses to take advantage of the fund to prepare their businesses for future challenges.

Susan Jebb, Chair of the Food Standards Agency remarked:

The Food Standards Agency acknowledges the difficulties faced by small abattoirs and has worked together with Defra to create the Smaller Abattoir Fund.

We are eager to support the fund’s utilization to enhance efficiency, productivity, animal welfare, and innovation within this highly valued sector.

The application period for the Smaller Abattoir Fund will be open for nine months, allowing abattoirs to submit up to three applications with a total maximum funding of £60,000. A comprehensive list of eligible capital investments has been developed in consultation with industry stakeholders, recognizing the unique needs of each abattoir. This list is not exhaustive, and other investments may also qualify if applicants demonstrate that they align with at least one of the Fund’s objectives.

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Applicants for the fund must clearly illustrate how their proposed item or project aligns with one or more of the Fund’s core aims: to improve productivity, enhance animal health and welfare, add value to primary products, and promote innovation and investment in new technologies.

  • If the application is successful, Defra will cover 40% of the cost of the requested item.
  • This scheme is criteria-based. Eligible applicants satisfying the scheme’s requirements will receive support, with detailed eligibility criteria provided upon the Fund’s opening.
  • The application window remains accessible for 9 months (until September 30, 2024, or until all funds are allocated).
  • Eligible applicants may submit a maximum of three applications, up to a total of £60,000 per abattoir business across all applications. The minimum grant amount is £2,000. Additional details regarding capital investment categories aligned with the fund’s goals will be included in the application materials.
  • The SAF is available exclusively to FSA-approved mobile and static red meat and poultry abattoirs within England. Eligible abattoirs must be physically located in England, while mobile abattoirs must operate exclusively within England. This includes both producer-owned and privately owned facilities.
  • Eligible red meat abattoirs must process up to 10,000 farmed livestock units (LSU) annually, and poultry abattoirs must slay up to 500,000 birds per year. Throughput will be assessed using FSA-approved throughput data for the 2022 calendar year.
  • Each business counts as a single applicant, irrespective of how many smaller abattoirs they oversee, and can only request the maximum funding amount (£60k), regardless of ownership of multiple abattoirs. Businesses currently receiving other public funds may face restrictions on the funding they can apply for, in accordance with the UK’s Subsidy Control Act.
  • Applications will be deemed ineligible if they pertain to items or projects within abattoirs subject to ongoing enforcement action or any related prosecution with conviction within the previous 12 months.
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