NFU livestock board calls for wider use of post mortem clipping

The NFU is calling for more abattoirs to provide post mortem clipping services following the results of its survey into the practice

The majority of respondents felt that on farm clipping was an extremely dangerous activity, while 85 per cent of those surveyed said they would like to see post mortem clipping provided in abattoirs.

The survey of the farming community revealed that a high percentage of injuries are sustained during clipping:

• 57 per cent of respondents stated that they or their staff had sustained injuries

• 15 per cent suffered head injuries while carrying out the procedure.

NFU livestock chairman Alistair Mackintosh said: This survey highlights how dangerous cattle clipping is. Livestock farmers always strive to produce clean animals for slaughter, but adverse weather conditions can lead to a shortage of bedding materials, which means occasionally cattle need to be clipped. A significant proportion of respondents reported sustaining injuries whilst clipping, and the majority of our members would like to see a post mortem clipping service provided by abattoirs.

I would fully support the introduction of clipping facilities within English and Welsh abattoirs where possible. However, we recognise that not all plants would be able to provide this service due to scale of operation, layout of plant and so on. Any costs that may be associated with the service should be taken in an open and transparent manner, kept to a minimum, and only applied to those farmers requesting post mortem clipping.

We will be sharing our findings with the relative industry bodies to discuss how we can progress this issue and ensure a safer working environment for our members