Another threat to small abattoir operators emerged during the Smithfield Show. A document said to be circulating among members of the National Beef Association, producers who tend to be highly critical of supermarkets and their biggest slaughtering suppliers, was apparently an analysis of Assured British Meat standards for abattoirs. The Grocer was told this demonstrated the vast majority of small and medium sized abattoirs would not be able to meet the quality criteria, and were likely to be shut out of the major retail and processing sectors even more firmly than at present as the new regime was strengthened. Quality Meat Scotland's standards and code of practice for slaughterers were said to be a much better model. However in private there were expressions of exasperation from within other industry organisations including the MLC. {{MEAT }}

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