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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Jeremy Franks
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
This study examines the reasons why between 1979 and 2020 the number of abattoirs licenced to slaughter red blood livestock species in Great Britain fell from 1146 to 200, average throughput per abattoir increased, larger abattoirs specialised in the species slaughtered, and family owned abattoirs have been replaced by international companies owning multiple slaughterhouses and food processing factories. The study combines abattoir sector survey data with findings from a national survey of small abattoirs. Larger abattoirs have exploited economies of size and location to achieve the throughput necessary to supply multiple retailers and/or wholesale markets. Smaller abattoirs have exploited economies of scope to develop the bespoke butchering services needed to supply private kill customers. The high rate of closure of smaller abattoirs suggests the future of small-scale, locally based supply chains in which private kill services supply is threatened. The recently introduced Small Abattoir Fund offers grants towards the purchase of new equipment which will offer some relief. But smaller abattoirs must support their private kill customers by organising collection points for onward transport of livestock to the abattoir and local redistribution centres for meat and carcases.
Author(s): Franks JR
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Outlook on Agriculture
Year: 2024
Volume: 53
Issue: 2
Pages: 164-176
Online publication date: 13/03/2024
Acceptance date: 14/02/2024
Date deposited: 04/04/2024
ISSN (print): 0030-7270
ISSN (electronic): 2043-6866
Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd
URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/00307270241236800
DOI: 10.1177/00307270241236800
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