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74
Environmental Health
Laboratory Examination of Slaughterhouse Specimens

These findings are particularly useful in that they provide an indication as to the standards of
hygiene observed in the slaughtering and dressing of carcasses.
The pathology department, Harefield Hospital requires—for research purposes—lymph nodes
containing tuberculous or other deposits and thirteen specimens were submitted during the year.
Poultry Inspection
The poultry processing establishment operating in the district deals mainly with birds which
have been slaughtered and plucked at poultry slaughterhouses outside the Borough. Activities are
confined to evisceration, packing and freezing, etc.
Any obviously unfit birds are rejected at the point of slaughter, those which show evidence of
disease on evisceration are dealt with by trained members of the operator's staff and the suspected
carcasses retained for examination by the public health inspector who exercises general surveillance.

Disposal of Condemned Food
All unfit food surrendered to the Department is disposed of, after staining, by tipping and burial
at a refuse tip. The Meat (Staining and Sterilization) Regulations 1960 apply to meat condemned
at the slaughterhouse. In accordance with these Regulations meat that is found to be unfit for human
consumption is transported in locked vehicles to a factory processing animal products.
Slaughter of Animals Act, 1933 to 1958
During the year 4 licences to stun and slaughter animals were issued. Only two of the slaughtermen
licensed were regularly engaged in the slaughter of animals within the Borough.