Crofting Federation calls for the creation of small abattoirs in Scotland

The Scottish Crofting Federation (SCF) has called on the Scottish Government to give tangible support to the creation of small local abattoirs, which its chairman says would underpin the meat niche market Scotland seeks.

In making the case for government support, SCF chairman Russell Smith used the sudden closure of Orkney’s abattoir, and the ongoing aftermath, as an example of exactly why he says funding should be provided.

“The abattoir situation is very vexing,” said, Mr Smith, “We all agree that the niche, high provenance meat market is the way forward for Scotland, whatever happens regarding Europe.

“Yet high-quality meat producers’ efforts are stymied by having such a scarcity of abattoirs and thus poor traceability. Animal welfare is compromised by vast transport distances and there is the added cost of travelling to and from the abattoir which can make direct selling unprofitable for small producers.

“Inexplicably, this cannot be compensated for in Less Favoured Area support. Look at a map showing red meat slaughtering facilities in the UK; it is not great elsewhere but Scotland is shamefully neglected, it is an abattoir desert.

“We believe that this restriction should not apply. A case could be argued for there being market failure and that the abattoir will operate as a not-for-profit service to the crofting and farming community in a fragile rural area.

“The objectives of ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare and traceability are in line with Scottish Government food policy. We have taken this argument to Scottish Government and it will be re-visited, we are told.

“The feasibility study showed this to be the best business model and it could be replicated in other areas. Other European countries use micro-abattoirs to great socioeconomic effect.

“The sudden, unexpected closure of the Orkney abattoir was also announced recently,” Mr Smith continued, “putting at risk the islands’ reputation for high-quality food. It is clearly unacceptable to transport animals for slaughter to the nearest facility in Dingwall, 150 miles away across the roughest stretch of UK coastal waters.

“Some of the islands’ unique, high-provenance products, such as North Ronaldsay mutton, could simply disappear.”

Mr Smith concluded, “If Scotland’s food and drink industry is to thrive post-Brexit, the producers serving local, niche and high-quality markets must be enabled to do so, and, in the crofting areas, that means having access to local abattoir services.

“Without them, some of the country’s iconic designated food products will be at risk, as well as the culture, landscape and environment of hill livestock production.”