THE Government risks stifling rural enterprise unless it acts now to save rural abattoirs from closure.

This was the message sent to Tony Blair by a group of major rural organisations and representatives from the meat and livestock industry.

Handing in a 120,000 strong petition to 10 Downing Street, the group urged the Government to introduce a fairer charging structure for meat hygiene inspections.

Joining the group at Downing Street, David Conder, the acting director of the Council for the Protection of Rural England, said: "The current meat hygiene inspection charges discriminate against small and medium sized abattoirs.

"Not only is this having a devastating impact on the industry but it is also threatening the viability of many other rural businesses.

"It also flies in the face of the Government's new direction for farming by undermining opportunities for farmers to diversify and add value to their products."

CPRE believes that small and medium sized abattoirs bring major economic, social and environmental benefits to the countryside.

These include: underpinning the local economies of rural areas including the growing specialist and local food markets, reducing the need for the transportation of livestock before and after slaughter with related environmental, economic and animal welfare benefits; and ensuring greater choice for the discerning consumer willing to pay more for meat that meets certain standards of production and origin.

Mr Conder added: "The Government cannot on the one hand urge farmers to diversify and add value to their products while at the same time taking away their means to do so.

"It needs to recognise the benefits that small and medium sized abattoirs bring to the countryside as a whole and revise the current charging structure before it is too late."