[Report 1943] / Medical Officer of Health, Pontefract Borough.

  • Pontefract (England). Borough Council.
Date:
1943
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1943] / Medical Officer of Health, Pontefract Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    29/34 (page 26)
    4 - 15 - PART THREE INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD Meat Supply The Ministry of Food continued to use the Abattoir at Newtown for the preparation of meat for distribution to retailers in the Borough and surrounding districts, covering a population of some 52,000. The whole of the meat slaughtered at the Abattoir was inspected by Officers of the Department. The numbers of carcases examined during the year were:- Beasts Ca] ves Sheep Pigs 1,493 (including 372 cows) 1,050 6,598 194 the total number being 9? 335* The numbers of carcases found to be unfit for human consumption were:- Tuberculosis Other Diseases Total Beasts 42 (35 cows) 4 46 Calves 1 1 2 Pigs 5 7 12 Sheep — 0 8 48 20 68 1,243 organs and parts were found to be unfit. A total weight of 18 tons, 17 cwts., 2 q'rs., 19 lbs. of meat was condemned. It is estimated that y±% of the cattle, 32% of the p:igs, 0*9% of the sheep and 0*7% of the calves examined showed lesions of disease. Although the premises at Newtown have served well as an emergency central abattoir, the fact cannot be overlooked that they were not designed for the quantities at present dealt with. This predisposes to non-compliance with provisions of paragraphs 4 and C wf the Second Schedule of the Slaughter of Animals Act, 19335 relating to certain aspects of humane slaughter. Transport and handling of meat were given attention, There were occasional violations of article 21 of the Public Health (Meat) Regulc '.ions, 1924; informal action was taken, and there was no recurrence. Conditions generally were satisfactory. The great advantage of central slaughtering, as opposed to the pre-war system of private slaughtering, has been amply demonstrated during the war years. It is impossible to anticipate what the National policy regarding slaughtering will be after the war, but in case the matter should be left with local authorities * I would strongly recommend the Council to have plans ready for the post-war continuance of central slaughtering in a Municipal Abattoir..