Jon Watt, who runs a mixed farm with his father at Laxfield, near Eye, is one of the grassroots farmers featured in the report produced for this week's annual National Farmers' Union (NFU) conference.

In the publication - which is being sent to MPs, industry leaders and other stakeholders - he explains the need for more support for small and medium-sized abattoirs.

Small abattoirs in the UK are closing at a rate of 10pc per year, with numbers dropping from nearly 100 in 2007 to just over 60 in 2023. 

An NFU survey of livestock farmers in the East of England found 19pc would stop keeping livestock and 14pc would be forced to cease trading if this trend continues. 

Jon Watt, 28, who farms at Laxfield, near Eye, has called for more support for small abattoirs (Image: NFU)

Mr Watt says: “Businesses like ours play an important role in supporting the local economy and to make the small number of cattle we have economically viable we rely on selling the beef directly in a box scheme. 

“Small abattoirs are vital for providing a resilient, sustainable local food chain to keep everything local. But rising charges and increasing regulation have meant hundreds of small and medium-sized abattoirs have closed and those that remain are facing huge challenges which could undermine the resilience of these local food chains.  

“Supporting local agriculture includes supporting abattoirs. By doing this you are creating a resilient network for farms to work with.

"Reducing costs, minimising red tape and reintroducing the small abattoir fund would help ensure the future of these abattoirs and help maintain resilience in local supply chains.” 

In the report, Mr Watt also highlights the need for investment in biosecurity to support the current bovine tuberculosis (TB) eradication strategy, and calls for a simplified planning system to support farm diversification projects.

© Eastern Daily Press