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63
Humane Slaughtering.
Under the bye-laws all animals are required to be effectively
stunned with a mechanically operated instrument prior to slaughter
and slaughterers in the district use either a "Cash" or a "TempleCox"
Captive Bolt Pistol to comply with this requirement.
This provision has been satisfactorily observed although
objection to the use of these or similar instruments is still voiced
quite frequently; the arguments most often raised being that no
restrictions are placed upon Jews or Mohammedans, who slaughter
without previous stunning, and also that in many places the use
of the "gun" is not compulsory.
In this connection it may be noted that a bill is now before
Parliament which proposes to extend the use of the mechanically
operated instrument to the whole of England and Wales—save
in the Case of animals killed for the food of Jews or Mohammedans—and
to prohibit slaughtering except by persons licensed by
local authorities. This latter provision should do much to ensure
that animals are treated humanely while in the slaughter-house.
Prosecutions.
It was not found necessary to institute legal proceedings
under the regulations or bye-laws in respect of any of the infringements
which were observed, as following verbal warnings or
warning letters the causes of complaints were remedied.
It may be of interest to record that several butchers now have
their beef "Graded" and "Marked" after slaughter under the
Reef Grading and Marking Scheme introduced during the latter
part of the year by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Three designations are recognised under which beef may be
graded, namely "Select", "Prime" and "Good" according to the
conformation, finish and quality of the carcase. The "Select"
and "Prime" grades are limited to steer and maiden heifer carcases
while in the "Good" grade young cow carcases may be
included.
Only home-killed beef of high quality is graded and is liable
to the usual inspection by the Health Authority. In this connection
we would suggest that it would not be inadvisable if it were
a requirement that no carcase be graded and marked until after
it has been passed by a meat inspector.
The scheme is an endeavour to popularise the buying by the
public of home-killed beef of high quality and incidentally it
assists the housewife to see that she obtains home-killed beef
when she asks for it.
Although in some quarters the scheme is meeting with opposition
from the retail trade it would appear that the Ministry of
Agriculture are making every effort to ensure the ultimate success
of the scheme.