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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with the National Farmers’ Union on challenges faced by small and medium-sized abattoirs.

The Secretary of State and I often meet with the National Farmers’ Union to discuss a wide range of farming issues which are important to both producers and processors.

Defra officials continue to work closely with small and medium sized abattoir sector stakeholders particularly through the Small Abattoirs Working Group, of which the National Farmers’ Union is a member. This group provides a platform for the industry to raise the key challenges and opportunities that the sector faces directly with the Department.