Slaughter and meat inspection 1981 (By-law No. 5)

By-law No. 5 : !l!.!!il!!!!'!'... .!!."-!!. ,!llle .!!I Ins~ Preamble : This By-law does not oblige nor encourage any person to slaughter an animal. II stipulates, however, that if slaughter happens to be done, the rules given shall be rouowed, in view of the objective stated under paragraph J of this By-law. Scoe!! 1. This By-law refers to slaughterhouses not exceeding a capacity ot 30 animals slaughtered per day, and to slaughter and meat inspec tion of ruminants and pigs slaughtered in such slaughterhouses or in the field. 2. Slaughterhouses of larger capacity, and the slaughter and meat inspec tion effected therein shall not be covered by this By-law, but shall be sudject to the folJ .1:cope of internationally agreed hygienic require ments, as laid down in the relevant FAO/WHO Code1; Alimentarius documents. 21 Objeolives 3.. The purposes of provtstons made under this By•law are: al to protect the health of consumers and meat handlers bl to prevent the spread of animal diseases through meat and offal. c) to improve the hygienic and keeping quality of meat and thus to reduce economic losses from spoilage. dJ to provide a reliable market outlet to livestock farmers and thus to hasten the rapid development of the livestock industry. e) to enhance the nutritional and dietary value of meat and meat products· f) to prepare the ground for the development of modernized and internationally competitive national meat industry with future export potentials. 4. It shall be the duty of veterinary meat inspectors to explai!l these objectives to butchers and meat handlers and to make them aware that the deviations from tr:1rlitkm::d, pn:u:-tices, as provided foi in By law are reasonable, in the interest of the country, and not simply innovations for innovation's sake. Shrnshter Animals: : Varinm;. prnhihirirm~; nrigin; transport and reception of animals in the slaughterhouse. 5. It is prohibited to slaughter or to bring to a slaughterhouse n any male animal which has be~n officially selected or diE:tdbuted for reproduction, unless its slaughter is authorized by the DAHO/ DVO, because of an incurable disease or advanced age. h) ::my ft"xnale anlmi:i1 in productive nge, unles:11 th~ OVO/DAHO has authorized its slaughter because of an incurable disease. 6. It is prohibited to bring to a slaughterhouse any animal which is not in fl dHt~ of apparent good health, or which nriginnt~!li: from a place which is under restriction because of the presence of a notifiable disease. 7. Only Bnimnl~ in npparent goad he.a.Ith from non~rr.sl'ricted ~reas: shall be transported to the slaughterhouse. They shall be accompanied by a written statement indicating the ovmer, or owners during the prece. ding 6 months and their addresses. Female animals and animals originating from the frontier belt area shall be accompanied by slaugh• ter authorizati()n or movement permit, respectively, 8. During transpNt, loading and unloading any mistreatment, excitment or exhaustion of che animals shall be avoided. In case of transport 22 over long distances, the animals shall be gh·en \\..'ater and rest in reasonable intervals. If vehicles are used, such vehicles shall be thorough• ly cleaned and disinfected before and after each use. The animals shall have sufficient space on the vehicle. Animal-; of different species shall not be transported simultaneously in the same vehicle. It is prohibited to use vehicles which can11ot be properly cleaned or which, because of sharp edges or any other specific features are likely to cause traumatic lesions to the animals. < Upon arrival of the animals at the slaughterhouse, and prior tu admission to the slaughterhouse yards or Jairages, the veterinary meat inspector or any other representative of the DAHO/DVO shall; a) examine the itatements of origin, respectively slaughter permits for female animals, and movement permits where applicable. b) ascertain by a •ummary appraisal, whether the animal~ a,re. 10 apparent good health, and identical with those described ,n tlic doc-.ments. IO. Animals which are showing signs of disease, female anim:tls for which no slaughter authorization has been presented, and aninuls ot uuccrtaiu origin shall be k.i:pt in separate ftmceli and locked places outside the slaughter house lairages. The DAHO/DVO sh:tll ho informed without delay and shall decide upon further action as :.appropriate. If sick animals are suspected to be uffeoted with a notifiable disease, the provisions of By-law 4 shall apply. 11. Animals which are in apparent good health and accompanied by the required statements or documents shall ~ admilterl tn thf') slaughterhouoc lairages and shall be marked so that their identity can be maintained until the termination of post-mortem inspection. 12. Animals which have been on transport for more than ? hour~ r.h.ll1l be given at least 6 hours rest before slaughter The slaughterhouse : Location, Oonstrvotlon, Qe!!;atlon. 13. The slaughterhouse shall be located in a plai;e which has bc:c:11 app .. roved by the Ministry of Development, Auimal Husbandry Depart· ment and which complies with the following requirements: :1) the plar.e ii;i nnt exposed to inundationll.; bl it can be reached by car at any time of the year, but it is not directly at the margin of a transit highway. c) therl": i1;. ample supply of drink.ins water 23 d> waste water, 11,laughterhouse effluents and waste can be disposed off without polluting the environroent. el there is no dust, smoke, odour or any type or industry, d,vellmg or livestock farm in the immediate vicinity. f) there is clectri~ity available, or a river where electricity can be generated. 14. The slaughterhouse shall be constructed, installed and equipped m such a way that: al if can be efficiently cleaned and disinfected b) the-re is sufficient sp¥ce for a proper and hygienic performance of the operations r.cquired c) alaughter and inspection can be. performed in an orderly manner, with sufficient light an<! hot and cold water at disposal, efficient drainage, non-slip !loot$, a.11d seperati spaces for the emptying and washing of intestines and stomachs. d) d1essed 1..arcascs a~d edible offal can be removed frem the premisc-s without coming in contact with the unclean area of the slaugh terhouse. e.1 bowel and stomach contents, hides and skins, unedible offal and cordemned meat can be removed without oolluting the premises. 15. Yrnds ond lairagcs shall have sufficien.t space to aocomrncdate the slaughter animals for rest prior to slaughter; they shall be clean and arranged or constructed in a way that they can be kept clean, and disinfected from .time to time; there shall be shadow spaces and drinking water supply for the animals; pens and other appro priate facilities shall he available for the performances of ante-mortem inspection. 16 The store rooms for meat and edible offal shall be constructed in a way that they can be efficiently cleaned and disinfected carcases, sides, quarters, edible offal and cuts should be stored hanging or un dean :separated lrayi:;, amt thC' l<ilUlt: 1uuw ::.huuh.1 be t:4uippt:d accordingly. 17. In slaugbterhpuses v.here the store rcoms are refrigerated, there shall abu be- a pn:-t.::hilliug ruum in which d1t: can.;ases ~hall remain <..lu ring an adequate number of hours before they are brought to the chilling room. 24 1~. In slaughterhouses where more than 10 animals per day are slaugh tered, there shall be an over-head railing system, which permits to move the carcases during slaughter and dressing operations, and then directly to the pre-chilling and store room. 19. Knives and other utensils shall be kept in good conditions and shall be washed frequently during the working day. 20. In the vicinity of the slaughterhouse there shall be a hygienically constructed disposal pit, for disposal of condemned meat. The pit shall be covered with a lid which can be locked and to which only the inspector and his supervisor shall have the key. 21. There shall be separate yards or lairages for the isolation of animals which were retained for further observation at ante-mortem inspection. 22. No animals other than slaughter animals shall be admitted to the premises. In particular, no dogs and cats shall be admitted and effective measures shall be taken for vermin control. Slaughterhouse Pe"aonnel 23. Butchers, meat inspectors and persons directly handling fresh meat shall be free from tuberculosis, enteric or respiratory infections and purutent wounds or skln diseases. Occasional tests shalr be made to detect salmonella cariers, for medical treatment. The DAHO/DVO er his representative may request medical examination and eventu3.l suspension until recovery, of slaughterhouse personnel if appropriate. 24. Entry to the slaughterhouse shall be strictly prohibited to unautho rized persons and only persons directly concerned with the operation or inspection or the slaughterhouse shall be admitted. Slaughter 25. In a slaughterhouse, no animal shall be brought to the slaughter room before the inspector has terminated the ante-mortem inspection and has authorized the slaughter of the animal. In the field, ante mortem insi:ection shall be requested thiough the nearost Police Station, at least 48 hours in advance. Meat obtained from an animal which has not been officially inspected ante and post mortem shall not be allowed to be marketted. 26. Slaughrer shall be performed In a w1y to avoid suffering, pam and excitement. The animal shall be rendered unconscious through an approved method. In slaughterhouse electric stunning equipment shall be used for pigs, and the ca.pth·e bolt for cattle, Where such cqutp:1t1,":nt 25 is not available, stu»tting shall be achieved throusb a hammer blmv on the forehead. Methods of insensibilisat.ion and immobilisa 1 ion by wliich Lhe respiraLion is impeded shall nut be permitted. '17. lrnmcdiate!y after .stunning, the blood vessels of the throat shall be severed, preferably with the animals' body hanging on its hindlegs, \\·iih the heaU downward. 'The bloo(lf shall b.e coHec.ieEi in clean c0n1aincrs, to be used for human consumption or animal feeding. In slaughte-rhouses, equipped with ov:r-head railing~ the carcase shall h0 moyed to the dn·ming area immedintely after blooding. 28. Flaying and evisceration shall be performed without d~l11y as.soon as tleeding has been completed. Greatest care shall be ta-ken to ensure that: o.• nn) contnmination of tha oa.rco.ss and edibl~ offol is avoided. b) the identil-y of carcriss., head, skin, viscera and blood is main tained until the inspector has terminated the post .. mortem ins~ pection. 19. It is not permitted to remove any part of the slaughtered animal or to remove or attempt to conceal any lesions before the inspector has terminated the postmortem inspection and applied the officinl i11spection marks. 30. Once the inspection marks have been applied, all edible and non edihle parts of the animal dlall he removed from the sla.u2hter anrl dressing place to their appropriate ~lesiinstWns. in-a way to prevent elfectively any contamination of the edible products. Ante-Mortem and Post-Mortem Inspection. 31. Ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection in the field and in slaughter houses shall be performed by a qualilied and authorized inspector. The inspector shall be a veterinarian or a person which has received adequate para~veterinary training and education. The Inspector acts officially on behalf of the DAHO/DVO. 32. At ante-mortem inspection the inspector shall proceed as follows: al The following shall be observej: i) abnormalities and signs of diseruie; iil species and hehaviour of animals; in sick or sus.pectfld rliseaserl animals, notice shall be taken of age, colour and specific markings; iii) cleanliness of slaughter animals. bl particular attention shall be paid to the following detail•: 26 i) manner of standing and movement, ii) state of nutrition; iii) reaction to environemcnt; iv) condition to hide, skin, hair and wool; v) digestive system (salivation; rumination. coris.istency l d l'.n1our of faeces); vi) Appearance of the urinogenital system, including vulva, mam mary glands, prepuce and scrotum; vii) respiratory system( nostrils, including mucous membranes, nasal discharge, blood tinged froth, quality of respiration) viii) lnjuric:s. awc:llicg or oedema ix) Eoiy temperature (in suspected or obviously diseased animals). x1 Blood smear (in case in which a disease is suspected which could be diagnosed by examining the blood,); 33, Based on the results of the ante-mortem inspection, the inspector shall decide; a) "Slaughter authorized": if no abnormalities have: bc<:n fout1d. b) ''Slaughter under precaution, at the end of the working da;1'': if signs of disease or abnormalities have been found which however dn nnt nec-,ei;~arily prednrle approva.1, nr C".nnrlitionn 1 approv!'l 1 of the meat for human consumption, depending on the results of post-mortem inspection. C) ucondmnl!id" if thP. animal i,:; fnnnd to he affected with Anthrax or another incurable disease, dangerous to human and animal health. In such case the animal shall be destroyed out side the ,:;laughterhon~e, in a plac~ and m1rnner to he d~ciderl upon hy the DAHO/DVO. d) "Authorization for slaughter delayed": if the animal is suffering from a curahle di~ase, or has. Tt:";C'..ently calved or ahorted or if the 1em~ porary state of the animal, such as excitement or exhaustion do not permit a reasonable appraisal of its health status. In such cases the ante-mortem inspection shall be repeated at the appro priate time. e) '1Slaughter prohibited 0 ; in case of female or breedrng animals for which slaughter is prohibited by law. 34. At post-mortem inspection the inspector shall proceed as follows: 27 A. Inspection of the head: a) viewing of the oral and nasal cavity. b! palpation and viewing of the tongue c) viewing and incision of lymph~nodes, removal of the tonsils. d) two parallel incisions in the massetor muscle. and viewina: for e-ysticercosis. BJ ln&fJ!!Olion of viscera The followine viscera shall be examined: a Gastro~intestinal tract: viewing of stomachs and intestines and if necessary palpation. Viewing and if necessary paJ. pation and incision of the mesenteric lymph nodes (lymphonocli mesenterici J, provided they are not obviously diseased. The oesophagus shall be separated from its attachement to the trachea and viewed. bj S'pleen: viewing of org.in, palpation and if necessary incision; if Anthrax i, suspected, a smear of the spleen pulp shall be taken. cJ Liver: viewing and palpation of entire ort!"n, The portal lymph nodes (lympbonodi Hepatici portales/ shall be incised pro vided they Hl' nnt nhviously diseased. The large hilP: rlucl shall be opened up by an incision of at least 3 cm in length, where necessary tor reaching a diagnosis one or more inci .. sions shall be made deep enou11h to open up blle ducts and liver substance. The gall bladder shall be viewed and, if necessary, palpated. dJ Lungs : viewing and palpation of the entire organ. Viewing and incision of bronchial and mcdiastinal lymph nodes provided they are not obviously diseased. If necessary an incision shall open up the larynx, trachea and bronchi!. A transverse incision across the lower part of the diaphragmatic lobe shall open up the bronchi!. eJ Heart.: Viewing of the heart after the pericardium has been opened. One N more incisions shall be made from base to apex or alternatively tne heart may be everted and shallow incisions made to that the cardiac valves and muscle tissue can be inspected: 28 f) Uterus· viewing, palpation and, if nec,ssiry, indsion. d) Udder: viewing of the udder, palpation and incision. When the udder has been or is in lactating state incision of the supra-mammary lymph nodes (lymphonodi inguinales superficialesJ. hJ Kidneys: enucleation, viewing and, if necessary, palpation and incision. iJ Testicles · viewing and palpation. C. Inspection ef (!llrcasea a) the carcase shall be examined to ascertain: iJ condition ii) efficiency of bleeding iii) colour iv) condition of serou$ mc-mbranes (pleura and pe,ritont!!um) v J abuormalities vi) cleanliness vii) odours. bJ The skeletal muscles, including the attached fat and connec tive tissues, the bones expecially those which have been cut and exposed during the splitting of the carcase. the joints. the tendon sheaths, the diaphragm and the pleura and the peritoneum, shall be viewed and palpated. If necessary the triceps brachii muscle may be incised. c) The following lymph nodes shall be viewed, palpated and if nt~cessary incised: i) superficial inauinal (supra-mammary) {]ymphonodi ingui• nales super.ficiales); ii) external and inl•rnal iliac (lymphnodi iliaciJ, prepectoral (lymphonodi cervicales forfundi caudalesJ: renal (lymphonodi renalesJ. In all animals reacting to the tuberculin test and in those carcas:es and viscera in which tubercular lesions are found rho main carcase lymph nodes shall be carefully axamined. Such animals shall be slaughtered under precaution, at the end of th-:: working day, if suspected ante-mortem. 35. Wherever incisions are made, every precaution shall be taken to 29 prevent contamination of the meat, premises, equipment and personnel, and to avoid any unnecessary mutilation of the carcases and viscera. Obviously Ui~east:U 01ga11:s aml lymph uudes ~hall not lie im.:ist::r.l iu the slaughter room; but may be removed for detailed examination in the laboratory or other appropriate plaee. 36. Based on the combined resu1£s of ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection, the inspector shall take one of the following decisions: aJ Approved for human consumption without any restrictions b) App,oved for home consumption under precautions. c) Approved under the condition of heat treatment. d) Approved under the condition of deep freezing or heat treatment. e) Partially condemned f) Totally condemned. 37. If necessarv. the carcases and viscera may be retained for further inspection, in such case as abnormal odour or colour which may possibly disappear within 24 hours or the carcases and viscera may retained penct;ng laboratory examination. In such cases the carcases and edible off:1 ~hall remain under the custody of the inspector1 separate from approved meat; and under lock. 1~ Th~ cnrcnses and edible offal sha11 be approved for human consump .. tion and their marketting shall be permit ed without any restriction, if a) no sign of disease or abnormality was found which would justify a diffnent judgement. ::rnd b) slaughter was performed in accordance with the provisions of this By-law and hygienic rules were observed. 39. The c-ntcu::ic and those viscera which are not altered shall be approved for heme consumption, after thorough cooking performed under the 5uperdsion of the inspector, if the animal was sufferring from an incurl'lhl,..., rli.;:p~i;:p whic.h is not jnmsmisi-ihle tn man such nJ.. Ht1Pmor rhogic Septiceamia, and was slaughtered in a state of acute disease c.n the premises of its owner. ,<(). 1 he cMca5c and these viscern which urc ulterutcd ahnll be approved under the condilian of heat treatment, if the animal was found to be affected by a disease the causal agent of which can be reliably destro~·e-d by heat, ,rnd whii·h rlid not J..~rverely :1ffl'lct the org:1noleptic proper:les of its meat, and which does not constitute a serious health 30 hazard to meat handters. In such cases, the meat and viscera shall be cut in pieces not thicker than 15 cm and cooked in boiling water durir1g 3 hour~, under the irnpervfoion of the inspector. Th 1: inspector shall give the appropriate instruc1ions to prevent rce-orit?. mination of the cooked meat. The conditionally approved meat aft'-r treatment, may be m:1rk(•tPd l<1c,dly; hut nnt 11utside the city or village concerned. Its use in reswurants or institutions is prohibited, 41. Meat which is affected by cysticercosis, with a low numb~r of cysts way be approved under the 1.;ondition of deep freezing ut 10" C during JS days, if the facilities ar~ ;,1vaiL.1ble. During the time of freezing, the meat remains u11<L'r th{' custody of 1hc i11spcctor. If the facilities. required art> n0t n1.::il.1ble .st1ch rne-::it 1,hnll be tre,.ttfd :•~ indicateJ under para ,io BbO\-e. 42. Any visibly alteratcd, infected or p::ir.1sitized parts of the carcase and viscera :shall be s~1hjcct to partial condemnation. The coudenrncd parts shall be destroyed under the supervision of the inspector, locked in the disposal pit if avaiable or by burning. The inspector shall take every possible precaution to prevent that echinococcus or coenrus cysts are eaten by dogs or other carnivores. In all cases of partial condemnation, those viscera and parts of the carcase which are not visibly affected shall be judged separately according to the nature of the disease invc•lved, They may be approved without restriction in most of the parasitic diseases, and shall be approved under the condition of heat tre:.i.tment in all cases of infectious diseaf.es, unless para 39 or para 44 applies. 4J Jf tuberculosis is found in a carcas:~ lymph node, th.e conesponding quarter of rhe carcase shall be condemned. 4,1. The entire carcases and viscera shall be totally condemned if one or more uf the following conditions are found at ante or post~ mortem inspection: aJ Anthrax b) Blackleg and other clostridial infections c) RalJks ct) Salmonellosis eJ Gangraena fj Septk:1emia :;ind Pya~tnia 31 g) Generalized tuberculosis h) Severe and generalized oedematosis iJ complete emaciation because of a disease j) Severe organoleptic alterations of the entire muscle tissue1 such as severe icterus, repulsive odour, multiple tumours, or pathological dcgcncra.tions of the mu:,dc tiMuc, 45. ln the case of severe and generalized cysticercosis, without the symptoms of complete emaciation, the entire muscle tissue shall be condemned, the fat however may be approved for human consumpt1on, after melting at 60°C. 46. As soon as the meat inspector has terminated the post.mortem ins pection and taken his final decision, he shall apply the inspection marks, in accordance with the instructions given by the Ministry of Development. 47 For the purposes of veterinary food inspection, as provided for under By-law No. 6, the absence of the official meat inspection marks on a carcase or quarter shall be considered as legally valid evidence, that the meat has not been inspected. 48. lf a case of notifiable disease is detected at anteRmdrtem or post~ mortem inspection, the inspector shall immediately inform the DAHO/ DVO, preferably by telephone indicating the name and address of the owner and all relevant details. The DAHO/DVO shall then with out delay investigate whether the disease exists in the place of origin, or whether the infection was contracted during transport, and shall initiate a thorough investigation in all suspected places, informing the Animnl Hni.hnndry nf'fl~Htment. MinistrynfDevelopment. 49. Penalties : The penalty for violation of this lly-law shall be a fine of Nu. 100/- upto Nu. 500/- according to the severity of the infra1;Liuu, amt (.;uufhi.;aliuu uf the animal u1 i.;au:.::a!:lc concerned, without compensation. The penalty for repeated violation shall be suspension of the slaughterhouse opera tion upto 1.5 days, 50. Fees The fee for ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection in a slaughterhouse shall be Nu. 5/- per animal, in the fleld Nu. !/- per animal.