Abattoir rules come into force

Livestock producers without additional paperwork face losing the value of animals sent for slaughter.

New rules mean abattoirs are requesting and checking food chain information for all cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered for human consumption.

The rules came into effect on 1 January.

Animals must be accompanied with paperwork detailing any diseases, medicine withdrawal periods and movement restrictions on the holding of origin.

Any stock arriving at a slaughterhouse without the relevant paperwork may not be slaughtered without Meat Hygiene Service approval.

Meat from animals without food chain information may not be approved for human consumption.

The new rules are an important part of “farm-to-fork” food safety controls.

A Food Standards Agency spokesman said the aim was to highlight the responsibilities of livestock keepers in the meat production chain.

“Since this is information that livestock keepers should already have, we believe that this change in the law will not be burdensome.”

Information about slaughter animals could be used by operators and veterinarians to make decisions about processing and inspection procedures.

Each slaughterhouse operator is able to decide how they wish to receive the necessary information.

In the case of sheep in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, some operators may choose to use new movement documents.

There are no changes made to movement documents in Scotland, where industry’s preference is to use company declarations.