The Malta Public Abattoir (MT001),
located in Marsa, is an establishment where domestic ungulates, that is, red
meat animals of swine, bovine, ovine, caprine and equine species are
slaughtered.The Officials of the Section carry
out, on a daily basis, the ante-mortem and the post-mortem inspections of the
animals transported to the slaughterhouse.
At the Gozo Civil Abattoir (MT002),
located in Xewkija, animals of swine, bovine and ovine species are slaughtered.
The operations are scheduled for Wednesday, on a weekly basis.
Particular consideration is given to
Animal Welfare, with the aim of evaluating transport conditions, in accordance
with the Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005, the lairaging conditions, and to
verify compliance with the Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009, from the
unloading of the animals to the stunning procedures prior to slaughter.
The identification of the animals is
verified and the health status is also evaluated in order to identify any sign
of diseases or other conditions, and to assess the fitness of the animals to be
sent for slaughter, as provided by Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 and Regulation
(EC) No 854/2004.
The verification of the hygiene of
the procedures, and the post-mortem inspection of the slaughtered animals, are
carried out by the Veterinary Officers in order to assess that the carcass
hygiene is ensured and that the meat is not affected by any condition
representing a risk for the public health. When the meat is deemed as fit for
human consumption, the health mark is applied.
The Veterinary Officers in charge of
the inspection at the red meat slaughterhouses also perform checks for the
verification of the responsibilities of the food business operator, as regards
the labelling, the reliability of traceability, and the handling of the animal
by-products.
The slaughtered animal carcasses are
routinely, or on suspicion, sampled and subjected to different laboratory tests
in the interest of food safety, as well as animal health:
- Research of chemical residues and
contaminants according to the National Residue Control;
- Detection of Trichinella larvae in
swine and horse carcasses, as per Commission Regulation (EC) No 2075/2005;
- BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis),
according to Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 and to Commission Decision
2009/719/EC, as amended;
- Survey of TSEs (Transmissible
Spongiform Encephalitis) on an established number of ovine and caprine
carcasses, as per Regulation (EC) No 999/2001;
- Research of antimicrobial residues,
in case of suspicious;
- Control programme for Brucellosis.
The Emergency Service, developed
in 2012, still operates on a 24/7 basis in Malta and Gozo in order
to improve the general welfare of farm animals, to improve the passive
surveillance on animal diseases, and limit the possible spread of dangerous
pathogens. Animals unfit for transport are visited (ante-mortem inspection) and
slaughtered on-farm and then transported to the Marsa Abattoir for further
slaughter operations and post-mortem inspection.