TOP HONOURS FOR EXCELLING ABATTOIRS
Eastern Cape Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) MEC Xolile Nqatha awarded well performing abattoirs at the Eastern Cape Abattoir Rating Scheme event for their commitment to following best practices to ensure meat safety. The Scheme is a tool that was established under section 12 of the Meat Safety Act No. 40 of 2000 in a bid to ensure that registered abattoirs adhere to acceptable health standards. By hosting the awards, DRDAR wants to recognize the diligent efforts of abattoirs that produce meat according to good hygienic practices. Food safety is important in the lives of the people and DRDAR want the success of these abattoirs to be known to the industry and consumers through awarding of the excellence. The department aims to establish and maintain essential national standards in respect of abattoirs as well as regulate the importation and exportation of meat. The Eastern Cape Province has a total of 96 registered abattoirs, which represent 70 red meat abattoirs; 21 poultry abattoirs and five (5) game abattoirs. The abattoirs that were audited this year scored averages that are higher than the minimum average percentage of 60% set by the National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) for abattoir compliance. DRDAR also issued certificates of recognition to 11 Custom Feeding Programs in the province. The aim is to recognize the role being played by the previously disadvantaged black entrepreneurs in the abattoir industry. The Custom Feeding Programme, sold 602 cattle and 109 sheep between April and September this 2018, realizing an income of over R5 million that went to the coffers of black emerging farmers. “As food safety is important in our lives, we want to the success of these abattoirs to be known to the industry and consumers hence we are awarding you tonight for your excellence. “The abattoirs success to this level is a sign of your commitment to the set meat safety laws and other regulations. Without your compliance, our health is at risk because we would eat unhealthy and unsafe meat,” said DRDAR MEC Xolile Nqatha said. Director for Export and VPH Vusi Rozani said the department aims to establish and maintain essential national standards in respect of abattoirs as well as regulate the importation and exportation of meat. He said the province has a total of 96 registered abattoirs, which represent 70 red meat abattoirs; 21 poultry abattoirs and five (5) game abattoirs. “The abattoirs that were audited this year scored averages that are higher than the minimum average percentage of 60% set by the National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) for abattoir compliance,” he said to loud applause. A total of 43 abattoirs were awarded in six (6) categories while 11 Custom Feedlots that realised an income of more the R5m between April and September were given certificates of recognition.