Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to help small abattoirs remain financially viable.

Defra recognises the important role small abattoirs play in supporting the rural economy and is very much committed to engaging with the small abattoir sector to maintain a robust and competitive sector. To this end, Defra has convened the Small Abattoirs Working Group, which brings together representatives of Defra, the small abattoir sector and the various Government agencies that oversee the industry. This group provides a platform to discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by small abattoirs including those that impact on financial viability. Through this we have identified three key priority work areas: the regulatory framework, funding and adding value to animal by-products. We are working closely with industry through a series of focused sub-groups to facilitate workable solutions to issues in these areas, where possible.