Small approved meat processing and slaughter facilities must apply to the local authority for an abattoir licence.
In accordance with the terms of the Abattoirs Act, 1988 Laois County Council’s Veterinary Section is required to provide and supervise ante and post mortem inspections of all animals slaughtered for human consumption in abattoirs licenced annually under the act and located within its functional area.
Laois County Council’s Veterinary Section is also responsible for carrying out functions in relation to food protection and implements the terms and conditions of the Service Contract between the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and Laois County Council.
Where the local authority is the relevant body the service provider is advised to submit plans to them prior to construction.
Plans should include layout, services and other structural details along with hazard analysis critical control point procedures/food safety plans etc. Once these are approved and the premises constructed, a conditional approval is issued to allow the service provider to begin activity.
If the plant is being run satisfactorily final approval is issued within 3-6 months. The procedures for approval of premises are set down in standard operating procedures which are agreed with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), the relevant national body.
While the local authority issues the approval, the actual approval number which the abattoir needs to operate is allocated to the local authority by the FSAI.
Other procedures a provider of such a service may have to comply with in order to exercise the service activity include: If the abattoir is being newly established, planning permission would be necessary prior to approval and environmental concerns would also have to be addressed. These would both be dealt with by different sections within the local authority.
For more information phone the environment section at 057 866 4000 or email environmentadmin@laoiscoco.ie