Farming Today

18/10/21 - Attracting new butchers, Small abattoirs, Apple harvest

Farming Today

Abattoirs and meat processing plants say they have around 1,500 vacancies, and the Government’s announcement of 800 6-month visas to allow butchers from abroad to work here is only a temporary solution. What will work in the longer term? Charlotte Smith talks to Simon Taylor from Surrey Hills Butchers, who's captain of the UK Butchery Team! In recent years, many small and medium sized abattoirs have closed and there are concerns more may follow. Gareth Barlow, himself a former slaughter man, reports on warnings that if more smaller meat-processing units are lost, there may be significant consequences for rural economies. And it’s harvest time in apple orchards across the country - but it's been a difficult year with weather and labour challenges. Presented by Charlotte Smith Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Heather Simons

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