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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of support for small and medium-sized abattoirs since the closure of the Smaller Abattoir Fund in September 2024.

Defra engages regularly with representatives from the small and medium-sized abattoir sector through formal groups to understand the challenges facing the industry and consider what support may be required. This engagement has informed work on issues including regulatory flexibilities, labour and workforce challenges, and animal by-product management, helping support a resilient and sustainable abattoir sector.