Time to clean up (From Gazette & Herald)

Time to clean up

A SERIES of "on farm" information days in North Yorkshire has been launched by the Food Standards Agency to promote clean cattle and meat safety throughout the beef production chain.

The scheme, running throughout March and April, is aimed at farmers, livestock hauliers, vets, abattoir managers, butchers and retailers. The programme is being run on behalf of the FSA by ADAS and will take place at its research farm at High Mowthrope, Malton.

The information days are open to all who work in beef production. The Education Centre on the farm will consist of a number of live demonstration units, including hide demonstrations; live beef cattle demonstrations; and a CDrom explaining HACCP implementation in meat plants.

There are no set dates, but the information days will be run as and when bookings are received by contacting Dr Lindsay Heasman at ADAS on (01944) 738646.

Iain MacDonald, new chairman of the meat hygiene advisory committee and FSA board member, said: " All raw products, including meat, can be major sources of food pathogens. The FSA has focused its attention on reducing pathogens within primary production and processing activities, to ensure that food reaching the consumer is as safe as possible."

Updated: 10:21 Wednesday, March 19, 2003