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246
Licensing of Slaughterhouses, Slaughtermen and Tripe Boiler
Premises—There is one Slaughterhouse and One Tripe Boiler in the
Borough, the licences of which were duly renewed during the year.
Ten licences to slaughtermen were also renewed.
Meat Inspection—The total number of animals presented for
slaughter during the year was 60,725 a reduction of more than 17,000
on the figure for 1965. There were 20,000 less pigs slaughtered than
in the previous year, but 3,000 more sheep and lambs.
The incidence of disease, parasitic infestation and other conditions
rendering carcase meat and/or offal unsuitable for human
consumption followed closely the pattern of 1965. One sheep was
condemned because of septic mammitis. Sixty pig carcases were
rejected for a variety of reasons, namely:—
Pigs found dead on arrival at slaughterhouse 13
Pigs that died in lairage after arrival 6
Pig carcases affected with multiple abscesses 29
Pig carcases condemned for other reasons 12
In connection with arthritis in pigs, it is significant to report
that more than 7,500 hocks and trotters were condemned because
of the swollen nature of the joints.
One bovine carcase was condemned as a result of generalised
tuberculosis.
The condition of livestock being presented for slaughter calls
for some comment on the matter of their state of cleanliness on
arrival at the slaughterhouse. This varies considerably, but a much
greater effort is required from all the parties concerned, i.e. producer,
livestock conveyors, and slaughterhouse managements to see that
livestock is presented for slaughter in a cleanly state. Quite a number
of cattle arrive very dirty and defy any sort of cleaning with the
limited facilities available. Some move should be made to encourage
those concerned to improve the present position, especially as so
much is being done under current Regulations to create new standards
of hygiene in the slaughterhouse. So far as slaughterhouses
are concerned, the Slaughterhouses (Hygiene) Regulations have
been amended to include a specific clause requiring any lairage to be
kept thoroughly clean. This new Regulation comes into forcc in
February 1967.
The bulk of condemnations at the slaughterhouse apart from
the sixty pig carcases, one beef carcase and four sheep carcases, was
made up of bovine livers and pig offal. The total weight rejected
amounted to 38½ tons.