A total of Lm400,000 is set to be invested in the Marsa abbatoir, Parliamentary Secretary Frans Agius said yesterday.

Dr Agius was addressing 41 butchers during a seminar organised by the food and services section of the veterinary services.

Dr Agius said that continual investment was being put into the abattoir and said that in 2004 a new pig slaughtering system was put into place to ensure that pork remains fresh and is processed hygienically.

He said that the customer was benefitting from the upgraded facilities, which eventually give yield to better quality produce.

In addition, said Dr Agius, the government had engaged the services of a veterinary consultant to upgrade hygiene facilities further. “This does not mean that current practices are not good, but they can always be improved,” he said. He said that there were also discussions with the GRTU, who represent livestock co-operatives, where it was agreed that non-authorised persons cannot enter the slaughter line. He also said that discussions were underway to change practices in transporting livestock to the slaughter house.

Dr Agius said that in 2002, the government introduced, for the first time, an animal welfare law and this showed the way to go in the keeping livestock.