Why does all the meat & poultry at Xmas have an expiry date of 26th December?

[GardenDIce]

Is there one specific date 2 or 3 weeks before this date that these animals are all slaughtered?
(Or am I being stupid quite likely)

I asked this question to myself yesterday in the supermarket,The cream the cheeses the bloody everything was 26th expiry, I am sure its more of a marketing ploy. I bought nothing will go on friday when things moght be fresher.

It drives me mad. My Turkey is the 26th too