Abattoir hygiene must improve, insists Brown

30 November 1998

Abattoir hygiene must improve, insists Brown

By FWi staff

ABATTOIR hygiene must improve if consumer confidence in British meat is to be boosted, said Agriculture Minister Nick Brown today (Monday).

Mr Browns comments came at the launch of a Government report which details the efforts made by Meat Hygiene Service inspectors to improve standards in abattoirs.

“Much still remains to be done and there is no room for complacency where public health is concerned,” he said.

“Hygiene standards in our abattoirs must continue to improve if we are
to increase consumer confidence in British meat.”

Todays report reviews the progress made in implementing the recommendations of the Governments working group on meat hygiene.

The group was set up in March 1997 to improve the standard of hygiene in abattoirs.

It is also charged with tightening up the standards of cleanliness for livestock being presented for slaughter.

Mr Brown said all those involved in meat production chain were working well with the Government to achieve real results in driving up standards in slaughterhouses.

But he added: “I have asked my officials to continue to work with the industry on the recommendations and have asked to see a further progress report in April next year.”

The working group is comprised of representatives from the meat industry, and Government officials.