Irregularities found during inspection at Shimla slaughterhouse

An inspection at a slaughterhouse here has revealed grave irregularities in its functioning, including absence of veterinary officer during slaughter, and animals with disease or unfit for human consumption being processed for meat, officials said on Friday.

An inspection at a slaughterhouse here has revealed grave irregularities in its functioning, including absence of veterinary officer during slaughter, and animals with disease or unfit for human consumption being processed for meat, officials said on Friday. The inspection, carried out on Friday by Senior Veterinary Officer Dr Anil Sharma in the presence of Veterinary Pharmacist Kailash Kalta, found that animals were being slaughtered at the facility in the absence of the concerned veterinary officer, despite prior instructions mandating inspections at 8:30 am. In this regard, the senior veterinary officer, Sub-Divisional Veterinary Hospital, Jeori, has issued a letter to the veterinary officer-in-charge of the veterinary polyclinic, Rampur, expressing strong objections. The letter said ''dressing (processing)'' of several animal carcasses had already been completed prior to the inspection -- a practice cited as being in contravention of Slaughterhouse Rules, 2001. During the inspection, six animal carcasses were found to exhibit marbling in the muscles, as well as tubercular lesions in the lungs and liver. Deeming these carcasses unsafe for human consumption, they were rejected on the spot. The department has characterised this situation as a grave threat to public health. The letter further clarifies that ante-mortem examinations prior to slaughter, and post-mortem examinations following slaughter, must be conducted mandatorily and on regular basis. The department has issued directives to ensure strict compliance with these regulations with immediate effect. The municipal council has been requested to depute two employees to provide assistance during ante-mortem and post-mortem examinations conducted at the slaughterhouse. Meanwhile, Rampur Sub-divisional Magistrate Harsh Amarendra Singh Negi said steps would be taken to ensure that there is no compromise with public health and no cruelty towards animals.