Farmers to pressure abattoirs on weights

Press, 4 June 1982, Page 16

Farmers to pressure abattoirs on weights

PA . Tauranga Federated Farmers is likely to bring actions against some abattoirs for alleged illegal practices in the weighing of carcases, accoring to the federation’s legal adviser, Mr Gerard McCoy. ...... Speaking at the annual conference of the Bay of Plenty meat and wool section of Federated Farmers in Tauranga last week, Mr McCoy said nine different methods of weighing carcases were used in abattoirs throughout New Zealand. Under the terms of the Weights and Measures Act. measuring systems used were unjust and illegal.

“When a farmer sends an animal to the* abattoir, implied in the contract is that killing sheets should be provided by. either the butcher of the abattoir,” Mr McCoy said.

“The farmer gets paid on the weight of the meat that

is the end product, but neither the butcher nor the abattoir is telling him the killed out weight. “The Bay of Plenty province first expressed concern about the fact that no killing sheets showing, -weights ol animals killed ' were being provided. “Since then others have put pressure on abattoirs to provide killing sheets. - “When an animal-is killed there is about 3 per cent shrinkage as the carcase cools. “Some abattoirs have scales calibrated to deduct 3 per cent. Some deduct 5.5 per cent. Some deduct it from the chilled weight and some from the farm weight. “They . should record ; the true weight and deduct the 3 per cent later.” Mr McCoy said he had evidence that some abattoirs are - removing more' of the carcase during the dressing process than is allowed under the Meat Act.