John Mettrick defends small abattoirs on Countryfile
The National Federation of Meat and Food Traders (NFMFT) president, John Mettrick, appeared on BBC One show Countryfile, where he was interviewed regarding the operations of abattoirs.
The show, which aired on 25th February, provided insight into the measures taken before the animals are slaughtered at Mettrick’s abattoir, with him explaining the whole procedure before meat products reach his butcher’s shop.
When asked what it is like to run a small abattoir these days, Mettrick commented: “It’s very hard to make it pay. A lot of small abattoirs are closing, because they’re finding it so difficult.
Countryfile presenter Tom Heap (L) with John Mettrick.
“I think what we’re after is for someone to look at the regulations and how they can be simplified so that small abattoirs can survive.”
On the issue of whether bigger abattoirs can serve hygiene and safety, Mettrick highlighted: “I would suggest that the reason we have all these regulations is because large abattoirs and meat processors have such long and convoluted supply chains and you need all that paperwork to keep all that checked.
“We can stand behind our meat and say exactly where it’s come from.”
Readers can watch the full episode and interview here.
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