Lactating ewes not wanted

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32720, 24 September 1971, Page 14

Lactating ewes not wanted

Fanners sending milky ewes to freezing works after October 1 may lose money through condemnation of the carcases, Recording to meat hygiene officials of the Department of Agriculture. From that date any carcases contaminated with milk during dressing procedures on the killing chain will be condemned wholly or in part, depending on the extent of contamination with milk or other secretions, says Mr J. D. McNab, director of the department’s Meat Division. * “This is merely in compliance with yet another hygiene requirement of our overseas markets,” he says. According to requirements of the United States Department of Agriculture: “Lactating udders are to be removed In such a manner as to prevent soilage of the carease with udder contents. Any contamination from udder contents must be immediately trimmed from tiie carcase.” “Although we export a relatively small amount of sheep meat to the United States," Says Mr McNab,

“any New Zealand works which supplies meat for that market must comply with standards at least equal to those set by the U.S.D.A., regardless of the final destination of the meat.

“In spite of repeated attempts made throughout the industry, using several different methods, no satisfactory method has been found of dressing milky ewes without contaminating the carcase,” he says. “Where a portion of the carcase is condemned and that portion trimmed off, the carcase is ineligible for export. However, it is not the policy of the Meat Division to condemn any meat unnecessarily.” Department of Agriculture staff in freezing works and export abattoirs are to be advised that to avoid the risk of needless contamination and resulting condemnation, sheep which are found to be lactating at preslaughter inspections should not be slaughtered until the udder has dried off. This message has also been passed to stock agents and stock buyers. Purchase of milky ewes for slaughter

could mean financial loss for both the company and the fanner.

“Farmers, in their own interests, are therefore advised to dry off ewes after weaning before forwarding them for slaughter, to avoid needless contamination and financial loss,” Mr McNabb says.