16 Jun 2003

An MP in Samoa says there is no call for a national abattoir to be built

10:25 am on 16 June 2003

The Samoan government has been urged to put off plans to build a national abattoir as proposed in the budget for 2003/2004.

The MP for Aleipata Itu Pa I Lalo, Su'a Atonio, said the national herd is too small to warrant a national slaughterhouse.

He said if an abattoir was built, production would have to stop frequently.

But the Prime Minister said the important issue was one of health.

He said that even if only a thousand beasts were slaughtered they needed to be checked to make sure the meat was fit for human consumption.