Memorandum submitted by the Silsoe Research
Institute (R 9)
Silsoe Research Institute is the BBSRC Institute
which focusses on engineering science and innovation. Our major
disciplines are engineering, physics and mathematics and our particular
expertise is in applying these at the interface with biology,
including agriculture.
Our direct experience in the areas covered by
this inquiry focusses on carcass hygiene in the abattoir. In addition,
we have wider expertise in systems approaches to analysing risk,
and in engineering research to improve process effectiveness.
CARCASS HYGIENE
Silsoe Research Institute has expertise in the
improvement of carcass hygiene in the abattoir as a means of reducing
food-borne pathogens. Our work includes assessment of dressing
practices, appraisal of operator tasks, determining routes of
cross-contamination, and data collection including bio-aerosols,
humidity and airflow.
We are currently undertaking work jointly funded
by the EU and the Food Standards Agency (originally funded by
MAFF before FSA was established) into:
measures to reduce contamination
of meat and environment with CNS tissue during slaughter and processing
of cattle and sheep (FSA M03 008); and
contamination of meat and exposure
of abattoir workers, by CNS material during standard butchering
processes prevalent in the member states of the European Union
(FSA M03 09).
We believe that engineering solutions may play
a crucial role in improving practices for spinal cord removal,
thus reducing potential contamination of both meat and environment
with central nervous system (CNS) tissue during animal slaughter
and processing.
GENERAL
We would wish to emphasise the general importance
of engineering principles in understanding the risks associated
with process management in the food chain.
29 January 2001
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