Sheep splitting regulations to provide more clarity
Abattoir owners in the UK could be allowed to use a cut-off date to determine the age of sheep, following a vote by the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCoPAFF), which allows EU member states greater clarity on sheep going into the food chain.
According to the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), the vote result will “pave the way” for the UK Government to allow farmers, market operators and abattoir owners to use a cut-off date, rather than have to check the teeth of sheep to determine whether it is over 12 months old.
This, in turn, indicates whether the carcase needs to be split to remove the spinal cord, which is required by the regulation.
According to current regulations on Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) require the splitting of carcases when sheep aged over 12 months old are processed.
The current system for determining age is to check for the eruption of a permanent incisor, which industry considers to be “confusing, costly and inaccurate”.
Evidence provided by NFU, and subsequent work calling for a simplification of the system for the livestock industry, has reportedly demonstrated how the use of a set date provides an “accurate and streamlined approach in aging procedures for the entire supply chain”.
NFU national livestock board chairman, Charles Sercombe, said: “We are thrilled to see the UK Government supporting the Commission on this issue. The NFU has been persistent in highlighting the importance of clearer and simpler way of aging lambs.
“Livestock farmers know well that checking teeth has never been the most efficient or accurate way of determining the animals age. This flexibility is long overdue so I’m extremely pleased that we finally have a common-sense approach.”
Phil Stocker, chief executive, NSA.
The National Sheep Association (NSA) also highlighted that a “better solution would be to use a calendar date as a cut-off”, with Phil Stocker, NSA chief executive, adding: “This is a long-standing issue for the sheep sector that will never be resolved in isolation.
“That is why NSA has gone out of its way to work with a number of industry bodies and government agencies over many years to find a solution. Switching to a calendar date is the preferred option and we welcome the opportunity this subtle change in the regulations provides for the sheep sector to move forward.”
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