Retail assurance a priority, as slaughter movements look hopeful

The industry will be pursuing a number of goals today. The most important to persuade retailers not to make panic phone calls to Denmark, Holland and Poland, as domestic supplies could be back to normal later this week.
calendar icon 7 August 2007
clock icon 3 minute read
If retailers can see that a good supply of British pork will be restored within a few days, it will take the pressure off them to source alternative supplies. The industry will also be stressing the importance to DEFRA of a smooth flow of information to regional Animal Health offices. One regional office was reported to NPA to be giving wrong advice on AI semen transport yesterday.

Licences
The NPA has also issued advice on movement licences. Movement of pigs to slaughter will probably be by general licence and will be reintroduced abattoir by abattoir, writes Digby Scott.

This is the provisional situation this afternoon. Each abattoir will need:
  • A full-time Meat Hygiene Service presence.
  • To kill the animals within 24 hours of arrival.
  • To ensure all vehicles are cleaned and disinfected before they leave.
These conditions will pose no problem for the main pig abattoirs, but if a premises wants to take animals from the surveillance zone or surrounding counties, additional restrictions will probably apply.
  • Veterinary inspection may be required before pigs can be dispatched to slaughter from these areas.
  • No pigs to move to slaughter from the protection zones.
  • Abattoirs taking animals from the surveillance zone will need to demonstrate they can stream product for heat treating.

Points arising
Note the words 'surrounding counties'. This would include, for instance, Hampshire, which has a significant pig population.

Further information on fallen stock, animals health, cull cows and movements within pyramids and farms using split site operations.

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