On farm kills & butchering

[Heidi]

Hi,
Try as I might, I can't find the laws and regulations regarding "on farm" kills, and how they are controlled and regulated. I am loathe to ring up the department of health and say "hey...we do this..."
Can anybody actually link me to the policy or the legislation which governs it?
Thanks
H

[Shadowgirlau]

Hello Heidi,
Hope the power doesn't cut out again and I lose everything as I just did. Anyway "Home Kills" are are not illegal in Australia and even the RSPCA have guidelines or an acceptable ... for this saying "Home slaughter is not illegal in Australia, but meat from animals killed 'at home' is not allowed to be sold in a commercial context, i.e. it is for home use only."
RSPCA Policy B7 Sale of livestock for home slaughter
document RSPCA Policy G1 Humane killing

There was an article or show I should say on the ABC NSW Country Hour on the 6th March this year which talked about mobile butchers and the rise in home slaughter for personal consumption. It was by Alex Blutcher

The law is actually quite contradictory in places. I am still having computer issues in that as I search I'm constantly being told the page isn't available. It seems my computer has reverted to an earlier time and I have to re ? something so will have to ask my DD when she comes in to do it So for now all I can say is that when you are searching for information regarding "home kills" you really do need to know the correct terminology for it because I found here in WA the various legislation's over lap. There is WA legislation Act and Local Govt. Acts as well, there are also Food and Safety Acts that pertain to "Home Kills" and even pieces in the local shires of various states not just here. Victoria has something on their DPI site but again I can't find it right now. All of the acts do cross over so anyone reading them will soon get a head ache as they become confused.

Will have to get back to this, sorry having a few computer issues - In the end I spoke to a lass by the name of Anita in the WA Agricultural Dept and she told me there are misc provisions and a "home kill" is a custom kill for home consumption only and therefor was legal with no requirements other than to ensure the offal is dispensed with in a certain manner.

Sorry as I know you are over East but this is the best I can do for now. Back to getting lunch and trying to fix this computer glitch.

[Shadowgirlau]

Heidi, Did you find the information that you were looking for?

[minnie]

Hi Heidi,

I don't off the top of my head know where to point you but, my understanding from others, butcher included.

You can't sell meat off the farm if it's been killed and butchered on site, it's only for your consumption. To sell it has to be butchered and to go to the butcher must be consigned via the abattoir.

I was pleased when we were tossing around a home kill or the meat works in Casino and we went the meatworks. Good practices, modelled on Temple Grandin methods (she apparently came out here), and we pack and vac seal while the butcher cuts, so I get good professional butchering in aircon with a big vac sealer.

How'd you go?

Vicki

[Shadowgirlau]

A butcher kills our sheep on farm for our consumption. We have one lamb left to be done (I think he is mutton now actually) and then we must decided whether or not to get another ram?
Decisions decisions!