UNITED KINGDOM.
CHANGES TO MEAT INSPECTION PAYMENTS.
Prior to 1963 there was no compulsory meat Inspection in England, only in the case of export lambs to France.
The 1963 Meat Inspection Laws, that were brought into action on January 1 1964, introduced meat inspection charges to be made by the local authority and the compulsory stamping of all meat, as proof that it had been inspected.
The charges could be varied from authority to authority, however could not exceed in old money, half a crown for cattle 12.5 p, sixpence for sheep 2.5 p and 9 pence for pigs and calves 3.75p.
It has now been announced by the Food Standards Agency, that the 54 million pound meat inspection subsidy by the government is to be stopped and the costs passed on the industry.
The industry has been invited for discussions, to see how best the new system can be implemented, it is believed that the additional cost to the meat industry could be as high as 10%.
The consultations will close on 25 March 2009, it will then be decided how to go ahead with the new plan. The meat inspectors at the abattoirs and meat plants have to inspect the vital organs and carcass for disease.
Sheep, the heart, liver and lungs are inspected and a cursory glance at the stomach and intestines for abnormality.
Pigs the procedure is the same, plus the glands in the neck are sliced to indicate if there is a presence of TB.
Cattle the same procedure is followed and the cheek of the head is sliced, looking for cysteria bovis, which is a tape worm that lodges in the mouth of cattle.
This is a vital service to the industry, the most common disease are to the livers of animals and 50% of livers are considered unfit for human consumption
