Blow to Hampshire farmers as county’s last abattoir set to close

The last abattoir in Hampshire is due to close at the end of the month, dealing a major blow to local farmers.

Newman’s Abattoir in North Camp has been trading since the late 1950s and is now co-owned by third-generation brothers William and Robert Newman.

It works with farmers across Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire and West Sussex, supplying more than 150 butchers’ shops as well as Smithfield Market in London.

But stock shortages and rising prices have rendered the business untenable.

“This is a very sad day for us,” William told the National Farmers’ Union (NFU).

“We felt we gave a very good and much-needed service to our customers, and we’re sorry to them that we’re closing.

“We’ll continue our wholesale meat business and send our own animals elsewhere for slaughter.

“We’ll support our customers and offer transport where we can to other abattoirs.”

Unfortunately, that’s an ever-dwindling number.

For many Hampshire farmers, their nearest abattoir would be C&S Meats in Sherborne, northwest Dorset, or Down Land Traditional Meats in Henfield, West Sussex – neither of which are exactly close.

And the NFU has found that – of those currently using Newman’s Abattoir – 60 per cent are small farmers sending less than 20 cattle or 50 sheep each year, producing direct to consumers.

It’s more difficult news for an industry already struggling.