Welsh Lib Dems support local abattoirs

11.45.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 15th Oct 2007

A thriving farming and meat industry needs good quality local abattoirs - that's the message from the Welsh Liberal Democrat Conference today.

The conference passed a motion calling on the Labour-Plaid Government to work with DEFRA to cut down on unnecessary red tape and recognise the importance of local abattoirs in the Welsh food industry.

Brecon and Radnorshire AM Kirsty Williams said: "Small, local abattoirs are very important to the rural economy, providing an essential service and serving a farming and food industry that is vital for a prosperous economy.

"Local abattoirs mean reduced food miles and contribute to the success of farmers' markets such as the excellent Brecon Farmers Market.

"The government must ensure that abattoirs meet appropriate safety and hygiene standards to reduce the distance animals have to be transported. This will directly decrease the risk of diseases that affects people and animals alike."

Notes/Nodiadau:

The text of the motion reads:

Cynnig/Motion: Support for Local Abattoirs

(Pwyllgor Polisi Cenedlaethol/National Policy Committee)

Conference notes:

1) That there are 26 working abattoirs in Wales today which is a reduction from

58 in 1990 and 31 in 1995.

2) The concern expressed by organisations such as the Farmers Union of

Wales (FUW) and the Forum of Private Business (FPB) regarding "goldplating"

of European regulations covering the work of abattoirs.

3) That according to the FUW and FPB, the "gold-plating" of regulations

concerning buildings, inspections and risk material removal has a

disproportionate affect on small and medium sized abattoirs compared to

larger slaughterhouses..

Conference believes that:

1) A thriving farm and meat industry needs hygienic, good quality small and

medium sized abattoirs within easy reach for farmers.

2) Reducing food miles is an important objective for environmental, animal

welfare and local business reasons, and that securing a viable future for

small and medium sized abattoirs is key part of achieving this objective.

3) Ensuring that abattoirs meet appropriate safety and hygiene standards,

alongside reducing the distance that animals have be transported are

important in reducing the risk of disease.

Conference calls on the Welsh Assembly Government:

1) To review regulations concerning small and medium sized abattoirs in order

to increase their viability and reduce the distances travelled by live animals,

whilst maintaining high standards of hygiene.

2) To work with Defra to reduce instances of "gold-plating" European directives

and regulations that have a particular impact on small businesses.

3) To recognise and promote the role of small and medium sized abattoirs in

developing the Welsh food industry, particularly with regard to farmers'

markets, traceability of meat and reduction of food miles.