Pets’ meat shops

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32734, 11 October 1971, Page 12

Pets’ meat shops

Sir, —Recently I had cause to visit a pets’ meat supply in Christchurch, and while being attended to I obtained a good look behind the scenes. I was shocked and disgusted by what I saw. The lack of hygiene was appalling. Decomposing meat was in abundance, and some of the animals had not been slaughtered but had died on the farm. As much of this meat sold to pet owners is stored along with edible human foods, and often fed raw to pets, I would like some authority on the subject to answer the following: i (1) What possibility is there of disease being present in this meat? (2) Could this meat contaminate other food if stored with it? (3) Could disease be passed on to pets or man through this source of pet food? (4) Will inspection of such premises be a likely step in the future?— Yours, etc., WOOF. September 30, 1971. (Mr J. D. McNab, director of the Meat Division, Depart tnent of Agriculture, replies: "Under the Meat Regulations, 1969, every person commits an offence who has in his possession for sale as petfood any meat derived from stock which has not been slaughtered in an approved slaughtering place. This means that it would be illegal, to sell for pet-food any meat! from animals that died on a farm. The answers to the questions set out by your correspondent are as follows: (1) There is a possibility that disease-producing organisms could be present in the meat. (2) There could be a considerable risk of food becoming contaminated if it came in direct contact with meat derived from dead stock. (3) It is possible that disease could be passed on to man or pets through their handling or consuming meat from dead animals. (4) Inspection of any premises will be made if evidence can be produced that meat from dead stock is being offered for sale as pet-food. It is suggested that your correspondent contact Mr W. Murray, of the Department of Agriculture, Christchurch, about this. The hygiene of the premises is a matter for the local health inspector.”]