17 - Butcher fined for waste disposal offences

 

Halesowen Magistrates heard how Les Hewitt Ltd butchers, based at Hagley Mall in the Cornbow Centre, had disposed of waste meat in a communal skip at the shopping centre instead of having it collected by a specialised contractor.

 

At the hearing on Monday April 14 the company pleaded guilty to three charges brought by Dudley Council under the Animal By-Products Regulations 2005. The regulations were introduced to safeguard against the risk of foot and mouth caused by the uncontrolled disposal of waste meat and bones from animal carcases.

 

Magistrates fined the company £750 and ordered it to pay £500 costs.

 

Dolores Nellany, food and occupational safety manager at Dudley Council, said:

“This is the first prosecution in Dudley under these regulations. It sends a clear message to all retailers that they must play their part in safeguarding against preventable animal diseases by disposing of waste meat and bones via an approved licensed route.

 

“Our officers will be checking that all retailers handling waste meat have the necessary arrangements in place and that disposal records are being kept for two years as required by law.”