CAMPAIGNERS opposing a proposed abattoir in north Suffolk have been attacked in a hard-hitting editorial in the East of England Development Agency's newsletter.

By David Lennard

CAMPAIGNERS opposing a proposed abattoir in north Suffolk have been attacked in a hard-hitting editorial in the East of England Development Agency's newsletter.

In the organisation's summer bulletin, opponents of the scheme planned for Yaxley, near Eye, are accused of having a “rapid and vociferous knee-jerk response”.

The article was printed after a press release was sent out from East Anglia Food Link (EAFL), a non-profit organisation promoting environmentally and socially responsible food production.

It points out that opposition to the planning application, which C&K Meats has submitted to Mid Suffolk District Council, has seen leaflets being distributed to homes in the Eye area, notices posted and a website launched.

Nick Saltmarsh, of EAFL, says: “This opposition fails to recognise the essential importance of local abattoirs and meat processors to the regional food and farming system.

“In short, local abattoirs are needed for a diverse farmed landscape and a choice of where to shop and what to eat beyond the supermarket shelves.

“It's important that planning officers, councillors and local MPs are aware of these issues and of the extent of support for local food and farming that depends on abattoirs such as this.”

Factors supporting the case for local abattoirs are made in the article. It says livestock farmers, particularly small producers, depend on access to abattoirs and many of the most cherished landscapes, including river valley pastures, grazing marshes and heath-land, are reliant on a viable and diverse livestock sector.

It also claims local abattoirs reduce the distances that live animals have to travel, minimising stress and reducing the risk disease spreading, and says they are essential to provide a source of locally-produced meat to butchers and other retailers, as well as bringing significant benefits to the local economy.

Opponents of the proposed abattoir maintain they realise the need for such premises but believe they are better suited to “Brownfield” industrial sites and not the “Greenfield” open space at Yaxley.

Dominic Richards, of Yaxley Hall, who is among those objecting to the proposal, said: “It is most unfortunate that the East of England Development Agency is trying to portray opponents of the scheme as against local abattoirs.

“We have 140 members, including farmers, among our group and our opposition to this particular scheme is based on the fact that it is in the wrong place and should be sited in an industrial area and not open countryside.”

Chris Burrows, managing partner of C&K Meats, said the company consulted with council officials and looked at a number of prospective sites for the abattoir.

“We decided the Yaxley site offered the best possibility of getting an approval but, obviously, it has to go in front of councillors,” he said.

Yaxley Parish Council is objecting to the proposal but it is being supported by Eye Town Council.

The application will go before Mid Suffolk District Council members later this year.

david.lennard@eadt.co.uk