Abattoir sector - Vital link in food chain

The agricultural industry’s worries about the future of the abattoir sector were brought to the attention of Caernarfon Assembly Member, Alun Ffred Jones, recently by NFU Cymru and members of producer group, Biff Llyn.

Ed Bailey, Vice President of NFU Cymru said, “There is a real and serious worry about the future of the abattoir sector following the recent demise of the Caernarfon and Llangefni abattoirs. Both the beef and sheep sectors, so vital to the rural economy of this area are totally dependent on a profitable abattoir sector to slaughter their livestock. Furthermore, the Farming for the Future document prepared by the National Assembly for Wales encourages adding value to our quality produce by getting it slaughtered and processed locally. This very concept is under serious threat without a range of local abattoirs and cutting plants able to carry out this work.”

Furthermore, Mr Bailey said, “The live market sector, so essential to Wales, will also be disadvantaged with less competition for prime stock at market which could potentially reduce prices even further.”

NFU Cymru supports Biff Llyn’s call for the Welsh Assembly to urgently review the current unsustainable position and the role the large retailers may have in the slaughtering sector in the future.

The NFU is currently gathering evidence from members to make a submission to the Competition Commission as part of the market investigation of the UK Grocery Market. The main objective is to argue a clear case for a change of approach to the way that retailers work with suppliers and a change in the way that price flexing is being used to gain market share to the detriment of the UK supply chain.

Mr Bailey concluded, “Without change and without a financially sound local abattoir sector, choice and availability of local food will be adversely affected.

At the meeting, Alun Ffred Jones AM, agreed to raise the issue with the Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside, Carwyn Jones and Economic Development Minister, Andrew Davies.