An analysis of the bacterial flora of meat carcasses

Meat production at the Kingston and St. Andrew and Orchard Farm Abattoir is undertaken under grossly unsatisfactorily conditions. Extensive microbial contamination could have adverse implications for the health of consumers of meat produced at the abattoirs. This study sought to determine the microbial quality and safety of the carcasses produced at the abattoirs as well as the knowledge, attitude and practice of abattoir workers with respect to sanitary slaughter and processing of animals. Samples were taken from approximately 25 percent bovine and porcine carcasses produced at the abattoir over a two-week period. Laboratory analyses were performed on these samples to determine the coliform count, E. coli count and the presence of salmonella. The condition under which slaughtering took place was observed. Informal interviews with butchers to determine their knowledge, attitude and practice with respect to sanitary slaughter were also conducted. The results showed extensive contamination of the carcasses produced. The E. coli count on carcasses, fell well outside acceptable standards. The presence of Salmonella also fell outside the limits of acceptable standards at one of the abattoirs. The presence of salmonella was detected on meat from the other abattoir though within acceptable limits. Poorly maintained facilities and equipment and lack of aseptic technique in processing and the use of untreated water in the abattoir were factors which impacted on the quality of meat produced. The study concluded that the meat produced at the Kingston and St. Andrew and Orchard Farm abattoirs places consumers at risk of contracting food borne disease. There were no significant differences between quality and safety of meat produced at the two establishments. There is need for effective quality control systems to be established in the abattoirs with a view to correcting process defects and ultimately reduce the levels of contamination of the carcass.(Au)

TRYPNET: new hemoparasite information network

Although Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana share borders and climatic and geographic similarities, the countries have maintained little contact, due to language, political, and administrative differences. In 1993, two international organizations involved in the improvement of animal health, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and CIRAD-EMVT (Centre de Cooperation en Recherche Agronomique pour le Developement-Elevage et Medicine Veterinaire des Pays Tropicaux), jointly developed a collaborative project between the veterinary services of the three countries entitled Hemoparsite Network of the Guianas. This project seeks to pool livestock, laboratory, and technical resources between the three countries in order to generate and exchange information on hemoparasites of livestock. A Hemoparasite Reference Laboratory for the Guianas has been created at the CIRAD-EMVT laboratory in Cayenne, French Guiana. Besides processing ruminant serum samples for the three countries, specialists from this organization conduct training in hemoparasite diagnostic techniques for laboratory personnel from Guyana and Suriname. A large-scale epidemiologic study of cattle in the three countries is under way, to determine the prevalence, distribution, and clinical and economic significance of hemoparasites in the three countries, particularly Trypanosoma vivax and T. envansi. Preliminary results are presented and discussed. A hemoparasite information Network (TRYPNET) has been initiated, including a quarterly hemoparasite newsletter (TRYPNEWS), published in English and Spanish and disseminated to researchers in the Americas, Europe, and Africa. In 1995/96, it is proposed to expand the network's scope to include Venezuela and Brazil. (AU)

Meat inspection in the parish of Manchester

The research shows that private places of slaughter were not constructed in a manner that could enable the production of good, safe meat. Structures and equipment provided by butchers were far below the minimum standard that would enhance the production of good safe meat. Sanitation was also a very grave problem. It seems that not enough planning and forethought was put into the building of most places of slaughter visited. Because of this, many problems existed which are discussed in the thesis. (AU)

The meat trade in Portland with special emphasis on the public health aspect

Some of the features stated which make a private slaughter place unsatisfactory are :- 1) Broken up concrete slab 2) Overgrown vegetation 3) Stagnant water in drains 4) Dirty concrete surface 5) Inadequate water supply 6) Dirty and unsightly surroundings 7) Insanitary toilet facilities . In respect of the survey carried out to determine the extent to which the public is exposed to disease through the meat trade, from the purchasing of the animals through to the consumption of the meat, the researcher has decided to make the following recommendations for further improvements. (AU)