Twenty three of the thirty establishments visited can readily meet the presentation requirements and accept the need for the changes.

The study evaluated the impacts of alternative post mortem inspection regimes for tuberculosis in cattle presented for slaughter in New Zealand relative to current practices. A retrospective analysis of slaughterhouse post mortem data collected from M. bovis infected animals was conducted and then a model which accurately simulated the current observed lesion prevalence was developed. It was found that approximately 50% of tissues could be dropped from the examination with only a 2% loss of sensitivity. A group of “operationally relevant” tissues could be dropped with only a 1% loss of sensitivity.

keywords: Bovine tuberculosis, lymph nodes, post mortem examination

The production of sheep and lamb meat is a significant part of the economy of New Zealand. Technological advances over many years have enhanced the efficiency, productivity and hygiene of sheep meat production, none more so than the introduction of inverted dressing (Longdell, 1992) where the de-pelting operation starts at the cleaner end of the carcass, and the pelt is moved downwards towards the rear, more contaminated, end.

This document describes a scientific evaluation of the likely contribution of routine post
mortem examination of selected lymph nodes of cattle slaughtered in New Zealand to
food safety and to food suitability. Currently all carcass lymph nodes are required to be
examined by intensive examination while the mesenteric lymph nodes are examined by
viewing and palpation. In addition to questions over food safety aspects, there is scientific consensus that intensive routine examination of lymph nodes is likely to increase crosscontamination of some tissues.

The current bovine post mortem procedures in New Zealand for the examination of the gall bladder, pericardium, penis and reticulum were scientifically evaluated as to their contribution to food safety. A risk profiling approach demonstrated that the following changes to current procedures would not affect food safety outcomes: no examination of the gall bladder, examination of the pericardium included within viewing of the heart, examination of the penis when saved as for human consumption by viewing and examination of the reticulum by viewing during examination of the gastro-intestinal tract.

The Meat Industry Association stated in its 2005 presentation to the NZFSA Verification Agency that one of the strategic goals of the meat Industry in Towards 2006 is…..” To be at the forefront of international food safety.” This goal is thoroughly supported by NZFSA and is unarguably an approach that will assist New Zealand in maintaining its deserved reputation as the world’s largest exporter of sheep-meat of the highest quality

This project describes a scientific evaluation of the likely contribution of routine post mortem examination of tissues of the bovine carcass and viscera.