LOW- CAPACITY SLAUGHTERHOUSES STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT FOR THE APPROVAL PROVIDED FOR BY 853/2004 REGULATION. EXPERIENCES OF THE LOCAL SANITARY AUTHORITY OF THE PROVINCE OF BERGAMO

For effect of CE 853/04 Regulation slaughterhouses authorized as low-capacity establishments under 91/497/CEE directive and 286/94 Decree, had to obtain the approval by 31/12/2009 to continue operating. This work illustrates the experience of the Veterinay Department of Bergamo Local Sanitary Authority about adjustment of low-capacity slaughterhouses to the requirements for by 852/04 and 853/04 Regulation. Here it’s illustrated the activity of the Veterinary Department and the evolution of slaughterhouses reality form 2006 to 2009. From a starting number of 154 low-capacity slaughterhouses operating in 2006, among which none conforming to the European Regulation, at the end of the adjustment activities we’ve reached the number of 85 approved slaughterhouses. To the significant reduction of the number of the establishments we associate the clear improvement of the hygiene standards, thanks to the punctual respect of the structural and functional requirements provided for by Regulations