A SOUTHAMPTON butcher has rubbished claims that a national meat crisis will be devastating for local businesses.

The National Farming Union (NFU) has warned the industry is just days away from catastrophe after being hit with staff and supply chain shortages.

It is currently lobbying the government to introduce new visas for foreign workers in a bid to curtail the "impending disaster".

But local companies have told the Advertiser's sister paper the Echo that these worries have been "blown out of proportion".

Mick Kempton, who owns Kemptons of Bitterne, said: "Not at all, we aren't struggling at all! I couldn't comment for everyone, but I know other butchers in the area and there isn't a sense of panic locally.

"Our Christmas produce should be as normal. I think the whole thing has been blown out of proportion and panic often makes matters worse.

"So long as everyone is sensible and just carries on the way they normally would, I don't see there being any issues."

The sector has been hit by the news that abattoirs in the UK are running out of carbon dioxide, used in the humane slaughter of animals.

Paul Solloway, who owns B Drummond Butchers in Romsey, said the food industry will be the last to run out.

He said that companies such as Coca Cola will be the first, as CO2 is essential to humanely slaughter chickens.

"I've spoken to a few abattoirs and they aren't having problems with CO2, and they've got plenty stored anyway.

"With regards the meat shortage, there is always a seasonal shortage. Supermarkets will be impacted more than anything as they tend to import their meat.

"I think there has been a bit of poaching going on, with supermarkets relying on the UK market, but other than that, I don't think people need to worry.

"All this came up with Covid and in fact, that did us the world of good as people were buying in bulk. We use local farmers and they will always have the produce, as it is their livelihood and they use that to put food on their own tables."