More dirty cattle are turning up for slaughter at meat plants and the Department of Agriculture plans to ramp up its clean livestock policy, in consultation with farm organisations and other stakeholders. It also plans to introduce assessment of sheep at factories for cleanliness of fleeces.
Current arrangements for cleanness of cattle hides are not functioning as effectively as required, the Department stated in a briefing note. “The Irish climate plays a part in this, but it is generally accepted also that some operators could make a much better effort in this area.”
Under arrangements in place for nearly 20 years, cattle are categorised as satisfactory, acceptable and unacceptable. The Department said that most cattle are classified as satisfactory but that about a quarter are rated acceptable and require cleaning by the factory.
“And the number in category C (unacceptable) has grown from 17,376 to 29,246 [per year] over the past three years. It is also the case that a small proportion of suppliers are accounting for a disproportionately high number of the dirtiest animals,” it said.
The Department said that possible steps include:
Stepped up awareness campaign.More on-site Department inspections targeted at large-scale offenders.Factories to consider measures to reduce intake of unacceptable animals.As a last resort, consideration of compliance action by DAFM against repeat offenders.Sheep
The Department said that there is a clear need to significantly improve cleanliness of sheep coming into slaughter plants. This was based on recent evaluation by DAFM staff of sheep carcase hygiene in plants.
“Accordingly, it is intended to introduce a formal clean livestock policy for sheep shortly, and work in that regard has commenced. It is intended that the sheep CLP will be broadly similar to the bovine equivalent.”
An effective clean livestock policy is very important for basic food safety but also as a reputational issue for Ireland’s meat industry and for exports trade of meat and hides.
More dirty cattle are turning up for slaughter at meat plants and the Department of Agriculture plans to ramp up its clean livestock policy, in consultation with farm organisations and other stakeholders. It also plans to introduce assessment of sheep at factories for cleanliness of fleeces.
Current arrangements for cleanness of cattle hides are not functioning as effectively as required, the Department stated in a briefing note. “The Irish climate plays a part in this, but it is generally accepted also that some operators could make a much better effort in this area.”
Under arrangements in place for nearly 20 years, cattle are categorised as satisfactory, acceptable and unacceptable. The Department said that most cattle are classified as satisfactory but that about a quarter are rated acceptable and require cleaning by the factory.
“And the number in category C (unacceptable) has grown from 17,376 to 29,246 [per year] over the past three years. It is also the case that a small proportion of suppliers are accounting for a disproportionately high number of the dirtiest animals,” it said.
The Department said that possible steps include:
Stepped up awareness campaign.More on-site Department inspections targeted at large-scale offenders.Factories to consider measures to reduce intake of unacceptable animals.As a last resort, consideration of compliance action by DAFM against repeat offenders.Sheep
The Department said that there is a clear need to significantly improve cleanliness of sheep coming into slaughter plants. This was based on recent evaluation by DAFM staff of sheep carcase hygiene in plants.
“Accordingly, it is intended to introduce a formal clean livestock policy for sheep shortly, and work in that regard has commenced. It is intended that the sheep CLP will be broadly similar to the bovine equivalent.”
An effective clean livestock policy is very important for basic food safety but also as a reputational issue for Ireland’s meat industry and for exports trade of meat and hides.
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