• 1. Implementation of the EC meat hygiene standards (Proposal COM (89/673)) by the British abattoir industry post 1992 is likely to have a major impact on its structure. Against the background of low operating margins, many abattoirs are faced with the necessity of making substantial investment in order to conform with the standards.

• 2. The term ‘post 1992’ is used advisedly because there could be temporary derogations beyond the 1 January 1993 deadline. The possibility and current lack of definition of these is a major cause of uncertainty and anxiety over investment in the industry, and makes forecasts of industry structure difficult.

• 3. A survey was carried out during June to September 1990 to examine the projected future size and structure of the industry. Data were obtained from three sources:

• (a) a telephone survey to the managers of 80 non-EC approved abattoirs stratified by size and geographical region (carried out in August 1990),

• (b) a survey by MLC regional staff in close day-to-day contact with the industry (approximately 450 abattoirs), and

• (c) information obtained by MLC in the course of operating its Meat Plant Advisory Service (advice was provided to 150 abattoirs in 1989/90).

The data included a Judgement as to whether the abattoir would continue to operate post 1992 and an estimate of anticipated slaughtering capacity based on chiller capacity. Numbers of cattle, sheep and pigs slaughtered in each abattoir in Great Britain are available from MLC's levy records. The database is being updated regularly as new information becomes available.