Marts urge sheep farmers to come clean

The Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA), the abattoir sector and Meat Hygiene Service are joining forces to urge sheep farmers to 'come clean' when they present their stock for sale.

Following talks with representatives of the sheep slaughter sector this week, the LAA is urging farmers to belly clip their sheep if at all possible before they are presented for sale at market if they are to go to slaughter.

Abattoirs fear unclipped sheep carrying dirt and debris present a risk to the food chain and contravene the Clean Livestock Policy.

Spokesman for one of the UK's major abattoirs Jim Holden of Kepak, in Preston, explained: "Sheep being presented in an unfit state for slaughter is a greater problem at this time of year with soil contamination. The Meat Hygiene service is putting pressure on us to present clean sheep in order that we comply with regulations. So we are urging farmers to present their sheep in a fit state, not least to ensure that our business is able to run at full capacity."

Robert Whitelock, chairman of the LAA added: "The onus is on us as an industry to take a responsible attitude to any issues surrounding the Clean Livestock Policy. The more preventative measures we can take the better for the industry as a whole.

"We appreciate that some farms don't have the manpower or equipment to carry out the belly clipping – but some markets will be offering the service on site at a charge.

"And the message is simple - from January abattoirs will not buy dirty sheep, so if you want to appeal to the widest possible sales market and obtain the best possible price, please make sure your sheep are clean, otherwise you will alienate some buyers."

Official Veterinary Surgeons (OVSs) of the Meat Hygiene Service are responsible for applying the Clean Livestock Policy (CLP) which specifies five categories of cleanliness. Broadly-speaking, only animals in Categories 1 and 2 can proceed to slaughter as initially presented. Animals in Categories 3, 4 and 5 need to be cleaned, clipped, or dried off before being re-presented for inspection. Animals in Category 5 are those that have been judged to be the dirtiest, and they may be rejected without any remedial measures being applied."

An MHS spokesman said: "Dirty fleeces can result in microbiological contamination of what would otherwise be perfectly good carcase meat. Since its introduction seven years ago, the CLP has been very successful in reducing the number of dirty cattle and sheep that are presented for slaughter.

"In 2003/04, more than 85,000 sheep from a total national throughput of 14.5 million were rejected for slaughter under the CLP."