A new set of robust rules for lorry washing at abattoirs will be announced later this month by the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) as part of the body’s pig welfare and slaughter module.
Industry stakeholders are currently studying plans to upgrade the present vehicle cleansing and disinfection requirements at abattoirs, making it “mandatory that all haulier vehicles shall be cleansed and disinfected before they leave site”.
The proposed upgrade is linked to guidance contained in the BPEX report “Effective Cleansing of Livestock Vehicles at UK Abattoirs”.Â
Formal approval for any changes which are made will be taken by BMPA this month, based on stakeholder responses to the new module outline.
“Robust biosecurity is of critical importance to the industry and is a feature of the Red Tractor Farm Assurance Standard,” it is stated in a BMPA listing of proposed pig sector changes. “It is therefore important that this requirement (vehicle washing) is carried through into the BMPA pig welfare and slaughter module.”