A spatial analysis of the robustness of the private kill abattoir network in the UK: proof-of-concept study

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the impacts of long-term trends in the closure of abattoir businesses in the UK on the robustness of the network of abattoirs which provides private kill services.

Design/methodology/approach

This proof-of-concept study uses responses from a farmer and an abattoir survey in a spatial analysis to help visualise the private kill network. Monte Carlo simulation is used to estimate the impacts of possible further closures of private kill abattoirs on the robustness of the private kill network.

Findings

In August 2020, 18% of the area of the UK was more than 45 km from a private kill abattoir, 21% was serviced by one, 14% by two and 47% by three or more abattoirs. After randomly removing 9 and 18% of private kill abattoirs, to reflect the current trend in the closure of private kill abattoirs, the area of the UK more than 45 km from a private kill service and the areas with one and two providers increased, whilst the area with three or more providers decreased for each scenario. This approach, therefore, can be used to quantify the network's resilience to further closures.

Research limitations/implications

The additional information that would be needed to allow this approach to help policymakers identify strategically valuable abattoir businesses is discussed.

Originality/value

No other national or international study has attempted to quantify the robustness of the network of private kill abattoirs.

Citation

Franks, J.R., Hepburn, J. and Peden, R.S.E. (2023), "A spatial analysis of the robustness of the private kill abattoir network in the UK: proof-of-concept study", British Food Journal, Vol. 125 No. 8, pp. 2721-2736. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-01-2022-0081