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Sanitation of Slaughter-houses and Knackers'-yards.
The slaughter-houses and knackers'-yards have been kept
generally in a satisfactory condition, and while structurally a
number of them fall short of the ideal they must be considered,
having regard to various circumstances, to conform to a reasonable
standard.
The supervision of the sanitation of slaughter-houses and
knackers'-yards has been incorporated during the year with the
duties of the Meat Inspector.
Applications for Licences.
Twelve applications were received for renewal of slaughterhouse
licenses, all of which were granted.
An application for the renewal of a Knacker's-Yard licence
was also received and granted.
Prosecutions.
It was not deemed necessary to report any cases for legal
proceedings, as such infringements of the regulations and byelaws
as were observed were remedied following verbal warnings.
Slaughter of Animals Bill.
This Bill introduced in the last Parliament, as we anticipated
in our last report, did not become law. A new Bill, however, has
been introduced in the present Parliament, and provides, inter
alia, for the licensing of slaughtermen by local authorities, and
for the humane slaughter of animals with mechanically operated
instruments, but differs from the previous Bill in that pigs are
excluded from its provisions, and there may, therefore, be less
opposition to its passage through the House, should the Government
provide time for it.
A provision relating to the use of a mechanically operated
stunning instrument is incorporated in the Slaughter-house Byelaws,
so that whatever the fate of this Bill, the use of the "Humane
killer" will continue to be compulsory for all animals, including
pigs, slaughtered in this district.
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