Abattoir provision and opportunities for mobile slaughterhouses in Scotland by the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission

6. Conclusions and recommendations

The Scottish Government’s Good Food Nation Plan aims to increase the consumption, production, and provision of local food, a key point being to bring more local food into shops and food outlets^[4]. This aim is significantly hindered by the continued closure of Scottish abattoirs. Having reliable access to a well-run abattoir within a reasonable distance from the point of production has animal welfare and socioeconomic benefits. Although Scotland has adequate slaughter capacity, the location and services offered by different abattoirs can result in some producers having to transport their livestock on complex journeys over large distances. This issue is exacerbated when abattoirs close. Although there is some evidence that MSUs may be associated with welfare benefits in specific circumstances, currently significant economic and logistical challenges preclude us from recommending that this option should currently be explored further.

The issue of Scottish abattoirs shutting down and the resulting animal welfare and socioeconomic consequences is pressing. The urgency of the situation was presented to SAWC on multiple occasions throughout the evidence gathering process and substantiated with the closure of Scotbeef Inverurie during the production of this report. We therefore advise the Scottish Ministers to consider the following recommendations with a degree of priority.

1. More information required on livestock journeys

Over 70% of Scottish sheep, cattle and pigs travel past a suitable abattoir on the way to slaughter. Further information as to why this is the case would be valuable in the development of strategies to reduce livestock journey time.

There is a lack of available data to assess how different aspects of an animal’s journey to slaughter inter-relate and impact on its welfare - for example: journey time; the nature of the route; the vehicle type; the number, species and mixing of animals; and the abattoir to which they are delivered. It is reasonable to assume that, in relation to welfare, particular factors are likely to be more important than others, but at present we simply do not have the evidence to identify one from the other. Similarly, there is insufficient evidence to determine which is preferable: for animals to be transported a longer distance on a large well-ventilated lorry, or a shorter distance in a small trailer associated with higher noise and vibration levels? This is of particular relevance when considering the role of private kill coordination, where shared livestock transport across a number of different farms may result in some animals being transported for longer distance/durations.

Recommendation 1: We recommend that, in order to better inform policy decision, the Scottish Ministers commission further study on the welfare impacts of livestock transport in Scotland, taking particular account of local practices and conditions. This work should look in-depth into potential welfare trade-offs between different transport conditions.

During our inquiry we identified a degree of interest from stakeholders, especially those from more remote areas, in the appointment of a private kill coordinator, whose role would be to optimise logistics both between small producers and between those producers and abattoirs.

Recommendation 2: We recommend that the Scottish Ministers commission a study to evaluate the potential benefit of appointing a private kill coordinator. Such a study should consider the possible impact on welfare and incorporate discussions with producers, aiming to understand the factors behind their choice of abattoir.

2. Support for small and medium abattoirs

SAWC welcomes the recently announced grants for some small and medium abattoirs through the Small Producers Pilot Fund; we recognise that this support is primarily focused on increasing the facilitation of private kill services, which may have a welfare impact (see Recommendation 2).

In our evidence gathering, it was reported that small and medium abattoirs often lack the financial capital required to upgrade facilities, particularly those intended to promote welfare at stunning and slaughter. Although such regulation is to be welcomed in principle, we are conscious that meeting the required standards is likely to have a disproportionate impact on smaller abattoirs.

SAWC recognise that that in specific circumstances MSUs may provide animal welfare benefits, but the associated logistical challenges are significant and not easily surmounted. Therefore, at this current time, priority should be given to protecting the existing abattoir network with consideration given to extending facilities on the larger islands.

Recommendation 3: We recommend that the Scottish Ministers allocate funding support for the specific purpose of enhancing animal welfare in small and medium abattoirs. Furthermore, should future welfare regulations require facilities upgrade/investment, financial support should be provided to small and medium abattoirs to assist in meeting requirements.

SAWC recognises the vital role of FSS officers (both Official Veterinarians and Meat Hygiene Inspectors) in animal welfare and food safety. However, we have found that ensuring the charges associated with providing official controls are proportionate and appropriately discounted for abattoirs with lower throughputs plays an important role in maintaining the viability of such facilities.

Recommendation 4: The Scottish Ministers should continue to ensure discounts for Official Controls in lower throughput premises and, given that such controls may reasonably be considered a public good, consider whether the present discounts should be increased further for small and medium facilities. The impact of any future cost increases of Official Controls on small and medium abattoirs should be carefully considered.

3. Status of Scottish abattoirs

The Scottish abattoir network is vulnerable. Further closure of slaughter facilities, particularly those in rural locations and/or offering services such as private kill or slaughter of high-risk animals (such as cull sows) would not only have a detrimental effect on animal welfare due to increased journey times, it would also threaten the economy of these areas and the continuation of the crofting tradition. Understanding if individual abattoirs are at risk of closure and the reasons for this may allow supportive measures to be put in place.

Recommendation 5: The Scottish Ministers should keep the status of Scottish abattoirs under constant review through the maintenance of regular communication channels with the industry.