New Standards For Works

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30212, 17 August 1963, Page 6

New Standards For Works

SIGNIFICANT changes in the procedure for slaughter, dressing and inspection' of stock handled at freezing works in New Zealand for export are under consideration by the industry and the Department of Agriculture. While the changes will be in line with the requirements of the World Federation of Veterinary Hygienists, of which New Zealand is a member, and will lift standards to a level acceptable by countries of the European Economic Community as well as Canada and the United States, it is understood that the present action was sparked off by the visit in May of Dr. C. D. Pals, director of the Meat Inspection Division in the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture. A considerable degree of urgency is attached to initiating the changes to indicate New Zealand’s readiness to comply with the standards laid down and to ensure an uninterrupted flow of meat

exports, particularly to the United States. The present consultations between the industry and Department of Agriculture are believed to be directed toward achieving the alterations in the best possible way to cause the least upset to the industry. Big changes have been made in the freezing industry in recent years in the cutting and packaging of meat, and now attention is being given to raising the standards on the slaughter, dressing and inspection side. The new standards now under consideration are believed to require that the carcase, entrails and bead of each animal should travel together to the point of inspection so that the complete animal can be reviewed for freedom from disease and suitability for export , Dr. Pals, when he was in New Zeeland, emphasised that this country required more veterinarians to carry out post-mortem examinations at works and since then the Minister of Agricul-

ture (Mr Taiboys) has announced the intention of using private and club veterinarians part-time for supervision of inspection at works. Use of such part-time veterinary assistance is expected to begin in the new killing season, which opens in two months. Fears have been expressed that new requirements could slow down the handling of stock at works, but it is hoped to introduce them in such a way that the present rate of production will at least be maintained. Considerable additional capital investment is certain to be involved in the changes and also extra staff requirements, but as modern techniques of handling may involve some savings, it is not expected that handling charges will necessarily go up. Early consultations are expected with labour so that they can be kept in touch with the nature of the changes contemplated and these can be implemented smoothly.