Farming Today This Week

Original version

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

Farming Today

Magazines & Reviews

Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

The latest news about food, farming and the countryside

BBC Radio 4 LW

Farming Today: 10/12/22 Farming Today This Week; abattoirs and the challenges the sector faces.

10/12/22 Farming Today This Week; abattoirs and the challenges the sector faces.

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, 10/12/22 Farming Today This Week; abattoirs and the challenges the sector faces.

Abattoirs; big hi-tech plants; small local slaughter houses; slaughtering fish.

Farming Today looks at the state of the UK's abattoirs - from animal welfare to the challenges of finding staff.

All week on Farming Today we've been looking at the state of the UK's abattoirs - from animal welfare to the challenges of finding staff. There are about 245 abattoirs in the UK, slaughtering millions of animals. Government figures for October this year show 173,000 cattle, 1.1 million sheep and 926, 000 pigs. There used to be many more abattoirs, but tighter regulations and economies of scale have seen consolidation. 

The future of small abattoirs has been a concern for many farmers for a number of years now. Farming Minister Mark Spencer has said he is actively looking at supporting smaller abattoirs, to keep them running. But it might not be in time to save some. We speak to a campaigner who's fighting to save the Tottingworth abattoir in Heathfield in East Sussex which is earmarked for closure in January.

The Food Standards Agency says it's doing all it can to support small abattoirs by cutting red tape and reducing costs, but the CEO Emily Miles said they can't have a separate regulatory system for small abattoirs, even though they are only selling meat locally, because some by-products do end up in produce destined for export, and would need to comply with those standards.

We visit a plant where Scottish salmon is slaughtered and processed, and speak to the Humane Slaughter Association about whether the stunning methods used in the slaughter of wild salmon, could be applied to fish caught at sea.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Farming Today

10/12/22 Farming Today This Week; abattoirs and the challenges the sector faces.

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4