Food Prices

Hilly

Member
I've said this before but I don't think it would be impossible for a group of farmers to run their own abattoir to kill their own stock. It would be expensive and difficult but unlike a stand alone business it wouldn't have to make a huge profit on its own, it's just another tool like a half million quid combine, rotary milking parlour, central grain store or packing house, just part of the chain.
Too many regulations always get the blame but I think its more a lack of interest.
I see a lot more involvement with the rest of the chain from farmers over here. I'm not sure what the difference is?
I dont know ?
 

Sir loin

Member
Location
North Yorkshire
Local to us is Mcintyre Meats (http://www.mcintyremeats.co.uk/) a well run farmer owned abattoir . I had a heifer calf break its leg and we got it mended by splint but as it grew the leg started o splay outwards to such an extent I couldn't take it to market so we took it to Mcintyres hung for 2 weeks and the queue at our door from villagers and caravaners was great no problem selling the lot never got to eat much myself :( .
 

Jackov Altraids

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Devon
I've said this before but I don't think it would be impossible for a group of farmers to run their own abattoir to kill their own stock. It would be expensive and difficult but unlike a stand alone business it wouldn't have to make a huge profit on its own, it's just another tool like a half million quid combine, rotary milking parlour, central grain store or packing house, just part of the chain.
Too many regulations always get the blame but I think its more a lack of interest.
I see a lot more involvement with the rest of the chain from farmers over here. I'm not sure what the difference is?

The major problem with comparing NZ to the UK is they are structured totally differently.
NZ is an exporter and everyone in the chain works to that end.
The UK is a net importer so the processor only use exports for the fifth quarter and have no financial interest in growing the market and raising local prices.
The second major problem in the UK [I don't know if it applies to NZ] is as @delilah so often says, market share.
A few big processors, each committed to a supermarket chain.
There is a glass ceiling whereby these existing big established entities will work to prevent / remove competition.
 
Last edited:

andybk

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Mendips Somerset
The major problem with comparing NZ to the UK is they are structured totally differently.
NZ is an exporter and everyone in the chain works to that end.
The UK is a net importer so the processor only use exports for the fifth quarter and have no a financial interest in not growing the market and raising local prices.
The second major problem in the UK [I don't know if it applies to NZ] is as @delilah so often says, market share.
A few big processors, each committed to a supermarket chain.
There is a glass ceiling whereby these existing big established entities will work to prevent / remove competition.
There is certainly collusion with HMG to tighten rules to price smaller abattoirs out of the market , thats before we get on to the need to be in assurance schemes with no premium .Its was always blamed on EU regulation but there are still loads of french small plants operating .
UK gold plating EU advisories again, that is of no benefit to anyone other than the end seller !
 

Whitewalker

Member
Local to us is Mcintyre Meats (http://www.mcintyremeats.co.uk/) a well run farmer owned abattoir . I had a heifer calf break its leg and we got it mended by splint but as it grew the leg started o splay outwards to such an extent I couldn't take it to market so we took it to Mcintyres hung for 2 weeks and the queue at our door from villagers and caravaners was great no problem selling the lot never got to eat much myself :( .
Drop them in one and get them to give you some back ,nothing like your own meat 🥩
 

Ffermer Bach

Member
Livestock Farmer
There is certainly collusion with HMG to tighten rules to price smaller abattoirs out of the market , thats before we get on to the need to be in assurance schemes with no premium .Its was always blamed on EU regulation but there are still loads of french small plants operating .
UK gold plating EU advisories again, that is of no benefit to anyone other than the end seller !
our Civil Service again
 

Jackov Altraids

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Devon
There is certainly collusion with HMG to tighten rules to price smaller abattoirs out of the market , thats before we get on to the need to be in assurance schemes with no premium .Its was always blamed on EU regulation but there are still loads of french small plants operating .
UK gold plating EU advisories again, that is of no benefit to anyone other than the end seller !

I do wonder who it was pushing for the ban on live exports.
Many assumed it to be the prime mistress and co. but it was just as likely to be the processors.
They have form, such as pushing for a tax on slaughtering older cattle. . . .
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

  • 0 %

    Votes: 115 38.3%
  • Up to 25%

    Votes: 115 38.3%
  • 25-50%

    Votes: 42 14.0%
  • 50-75%

    Votes: 6 2.0%
  • 75-100%

    Votes: 5 1.7%
  • 100% I’ve had enough of farming!

    Votes: 17 5.7%

Expanded and improved Sustainable Farming Incentive offer for farmers published

  • 198
  • 1
Expanded Sustainable Farming Incentive offer from July will give the sector a clear path forward and boost farm business resilience.

From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and The Rt Hon Sir Mark Spencer MP Published21 May 2024

s300_Farmland_with_farmFarmland_with_farmhouse_and_grazing_cattle_in_the_UK_Farm_scene__diversification__grazing__rural__beef_GettyImages-165174232.jpg

Full details of the expanded and improved Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer available to farmers from July have been published by the...
Top