Abattoir
What species do you accept at the abattoir?
Cattle born before 1 August 1996 cannot be presented at the abattoir. If this happens, even by mistake, and the animal enters the lairage, then it will be destroyed as SRM (specified risk material).
How do I book an animal in to the abattoir for human consumption?
- all bookings must be made by faxing, emailing or posting the booking form to us. Please do not phone us as bookings cannot be made this way
- you must indicate on the form the week you wish the animals to be processed
- we must receive the booking form at least 10 working days before your requested processing week. If you are sending the form to us on a Friday and you are giving no more than 10 working days notice, we must receive the form before 8am
- we cannot guarantee you the week you have requested, but we will try to meet your requirements.
- you will be notified of the time and date that the animal should be presented at the abattoir by fax or email. You will receive this no later than 12pm on the Wednesday before the slaughter week
Download abattoir booking form (size 23kb)
Other abattoir forms
Condition of livestock
Bulls over 10 months of age must have a nose ring and if horns have been removed it must wear a halter or neck chain. These animals must be accompanied by two stockmen who are used to handling the specific animal.
Cattle (including steers) must be clean, dry, fit to travel and healthy. Drug withdrawal periods must be adhered to.
Goats and sheep must be clean, dry, fit to travel, healthy and free of drugs. They must not be bedded on wood shavings or sawdust.
Pigs must be clean, fit to travel, healthy and free of drugs.
We reserve the right not to allow unloading if appropriate measures are not in place.
Preparation of stock prior to transport to the abattoir
The States of Jersey Abattoir adheres to a clean livestock policy and therefore will not permit entry of any dirty livestock or animals transported in dirty trailers.
It is everyone’s responsibility throughout the meat supply chain to ensure that only clean animals are presented for slaughter.
The following should be followed in addition to general farm animal health requirements.
General animal diets and health
There are many things that you should consider in order to keep your animals clean.
High dry matter diets produce cleaner animals than low dry matter diets. If you are changing your animals' diet to reduce the moisture content of the faeces, this should be done gradually to prevent scouring.
Feeding your animals a silage-based diet produces the greatest likelihood of dirtiness because it results in large quantities of wet dung. Supplementing silages with cereals will also increase dirtiness.
You should also control your animals' mineral / salt intake.
Good standards of general animal health should be maintained by:
- adhering to an animal health plan for the farm with effective veterinary regimes to reduce infection with pathogens
- carrying out appropriate husbandry and therapy to prevent endoparasite and ectoparasite infection
Immediately prior to transport
Although it is more important to prevent animals becoming visibly contaminated in the first place, the following can be used to clean up animals if necessary:
- bring livestock indoors onto dry bedding
- withdraw feed prior to transport to decrease gut-fill and reduce overall faecal contamination
- clip livestock to remove gross contamination from the underside ie brisket and abdomen, legs, rump and tail (timed to prevent recontamination closer to the skin)
If animals have previously been washed, they must be completely dry prior to loading.
The transport trailer must be clean prior to loading any livestock.
Delivering livestock to the abattoir
Transporting livestock
Trailers transporting livestock must have been cleaned, inside and out, to ensure that faeces from previous loads is not present.
Sufficient bedding is to be placed on the floor to minimise slipping of animals, and from becoming dirty during travel from faeces and urine.
The following bedding must not be used :
- cattle: sawdust
- goats and sheep: sawdust or wood shavings
All trailers must have adequate ramps, including tail gates, to enable the safe loading and unloading of stock.
Welfare of livestock in transit
Under the Protection of Animals (Jersey) Law, 1980 it is an offence for any person to:
(a) convey or carry any animal in such a manner or position as to cause it unnecessary suffering; or
(b) omit to supply an animal with proper and sufficient food, water or shelter.
Care must be taken by the conveyor of an animal to the abattoir to ensure that ill, infirm or lame animals are not transported and that all animals are transported in suitable vehicles which will not cause unnecessary suffering in transit.
In addition, if animals are confined for any length of time eg overnight in the vehicles in which they are to be transported, you must ensure that:
- suitable water is available at all times
- good ventilation is provided
- the animals are not subjected to extremes of temperature
What happens when I arrive at the abattoir?
Do not unload any animals until you are advised to do so. Ring the bell positioned at the entrance to the lairage if no-one is present.
Your load will be inspected to ensure you are delivering the agreed number of animals, and the general health and cleanliness of the stock including the trailer.
You will be required to assist in the unloading of your animals.
What is the vehicle cleaning procedure at the abattoir?
After unloading animals the driver is required to:
- clean out the trailer of all debris
- pressure clean the trailer and vehicle
- disinfect the trailer and vehicle
On completion, it will be inspected and a departure certificate issued by the States Veterinary Officer or his / her delegated officer.
Collection of carcasses and offal
When will the dressed carcass and offal be available for collection?
Dressed carcasses and offal will be available for collection at the following times:
- Monday, 7.45am – 8.15am
- Thursday, 8am - 9am
- Friday, 8am - 10am
You will be notified of carcass collection details by fax or email. You will receive this no later than 12pm on the Wednesday before the slaughter week.
Meat must be collected on the indicated date or you will be charged for storage.
Abattoir charges and cancellations
|
Charges per animal |
| Cattle presented for human consumption |
£32.73 |
| Pigs, sheep and goats presented for human consumption |
£16.36 |
Please note that the full charge will still be incurred should the meat not be approved for human consumption, or non attendance or animals that are not compliant for acceptance. A rejection form will be issued.
Charges are reviewed annually.
Chiller space and costs
If the carcass / offal is not collected on the indicated date you will be charged for storage as detailed below.
|
Charges per animal, per day |
| Cattle |
£2.11 |
| Pigs, sheep, goats and veal calves |
£1.06 |
Please be aware that chiller space is limited and is not guaranteed. This may result in the meat being destroyed unless arrangements have been previously agreed in writing.
Cancellations
Cancellations made after we have confirmed the slaughter date on the booking form will incur the full slaughter charge.