Abstract

 In Asia and the Pacific region, consumers have become increasingly concerned with the improved safety of meat and are putting pressure on governments to initiate substantial hygienic improvements in the abattoir sector. To assist countries in the region, FAO initiated a technical mission to five countries to gather updated information and develop strategies to upgrade the abattoir sector, with a focus on small- to medium-sized slaughter facilities. The overwhelming majority of private and public slaughterhouses in the region cater to traditional meat markets with "hot" or unrefrigerated meat. This is the sector where profound technical and hygienic improvements are needed in order to supply clean meat to consumers. Improvements are urgently required for practically all elements within the chain of handling slaughtered animals, slaughtering and carcass dressing as well as meat cutting and deboning. This publication highlights the findings of the research mission and provides recommendations on technical improvements for simple and better quality slaughter facilities. In addition, it presents examples of practical solutions such as advanced line-slaughter systems, designs for booth slaughter, methods of abattoir effluent treatment and the like. Drawings and illustrations are included. It is hoped that this publication will pave the way for cooperation at national and regional levels – by abattoir sector managers, the engineering sector and the veterinary sector – in working out strategies to upgrade the abattoir sector in the region.