Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
3
Meat establishment construction
and equipment
Since the cost of providing and maintaining an abattoir
is very high, it is essential at the outset to ensure that
there is a need for a new establishment and that it will
operate close to maximum throughput. It is a common
mistake for farming entrepreneurs to assume that there
is a ready profit available when they compare the price
per kilogram paid by a slaughterhouse for a live animal
to the retail price of meat and meat products.
The overall number and siting of abattoirs in any
country should be geared closely to the demands of live-
stock production. This should be balanced with a desire
to ensure animal transport times are kept to a minimum
and with a requirement for facilities to deal with on-farm
emergency slaughter animals.
10 Ground suitable for good foundations including
piling and freedom from flooding.
11 Sufficient size for possible future expansion.
The actual site need not be a flat one. Indeed, slopes
can provide suitable loading bays for stock and product
and are of value when two or more floors are contem-
plated. In general, urban sites should be avoided; rural
and nominated industrial sites are preferred.
Thought should be given at an early stage to hard
and  soft landscaping the site to limit the impact of the
establishment on the surrounding environment.
Environmental statement
It will be important at a very early stage in the plan-
ning and design of a meat plant to consider the pos-
sible effects of the operation of the plant on the local
and wider environment. Planning authorities will
often require the production of an environmental
statement (ES) which will be used in determining the
suitability or otherwise of the proposed plant in the
particular location.
Before an ES can be produced, an environmental
impact assessment (EIA) must be carried out. The EIA is
a process by which information about the environmental
effects of a project is collated, assessed and taken into
account by the Planning Service in reaching a decision
about whether a proposed development should be
approved. In the case of a meat plant, it is likely that the
following would be considered:
The characteristics of the development, including its
size; cumulation with other developments; use of
natural resources; production of waste; pollution and
Site
A suitable site for an abattoir should have the following
facilities:
1 Mains water and electricity supply (daily usage of
water can be in excess of 1000 l/tonne dressed carcase
weight for cattle, 3000 for sheep, 6000 for pigs).
2 Mains sewerage.
3 Contiguity with uncongested transport systems, close
to motorway access.
4 Proximity with public transport, for employees.
5 Proximity to supply of varied labour.
6 Freedom from pollution from other industries'
odours, dust, smoke, ash, etc.
7 Ability to separate 'clean' and 'dirty' areas and access.
8 Remoteness from local housing and other develop-
ment to avoid complaints about noise and smell.
9 Good availability of stock nearby.
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