European working seminar on modernising health inspections in slaughterhouses
Slaughterline health inspection of pig carcasses
© Pascal Xicluna / Ministère de l'agriculture et de la pêche
- from: 07.07.2008
- to: 11.07.2008
- In: Marcy l'Étoile
During the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Directorate-General for Food at the French Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will hold a working seminar on the modernisation of slaughterhouse health inspections. This seminar will take place from 7 to 11 July at the French National Veterinary School in Lyon (ENVL) and will provide an opportunity to discuss developments in health inspections and draw up a list of recommendations.
Representatives from the European Commission, the competent authorities and agencies in charge of slaughterhouse health inspections from each Member State, the European Food Safety Authority, the livestock farming and slaughter sectors, and global organisations such as the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Codex Alimentarius have been invited to attend.
With over 100 participants expected to attend, nearly 30 speakers under the guidance of six session chairs, all at high levels of technical excellence, and six round tables, the seminar should permit the conclusion of ten or so recommendations on how to improve slaughterhouse health inspections. They will be discussed by Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOs) at their informal meeting in Strasbourg in October 2008. The recommendations will also provide input for the work underway at the European Commission on modernising EU food health safety regulations.
The seminar will provide the opportunity to address the issues relating to risk assessment and management and hazard analysis in slaughterhouses, as well as EU regulations on livestock diseases and farm risk management. Discussions between sector professionals will examine the links between farms and slaughterhouses, with examples from work done on information on the food supply chain and guides to good hygiene practices in livestock farming. This will also be an opportunity to look at tools enabling progress to be made on slaughterhouse inspection procedures, such as health management plans based on HACCP principles, visual inspection and the implementation of pilot programmes. The discussions will facilitate debate on the division of tasks and responsibilities between the competent authorities and slaughterhouse operators, on links between certification standards and inspections, inspection costs, and the consequences of overhauling the inspection system for meat exports and products. Lastly, regulatory and technical developments relating to animal protection will be addressed, since animal welfare in slaughterhouses is a fully-fledged part f the provisions of the Hygiene Package.
The seminar will be held in the main amphitheatre of the French National Veterinary School in Lyon (ENVL) in Marcy l'Étoile, located at the entrance to Monts du Lyonnais just outside Lyon.
- Sources: Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
- Updated: 23.12.2008
