Category: Press Releases

BACKYARD SLAUGHTERING

Why stop the way backyard slaughter has been done for many years?

It is necessary to apply strict law for slaughterhouses and one of the aims of the current draft regulations is to do away with inappropriate slaughtering facilities and unsatisfactory slaughtering techniques often associated with less hygienic backyard slaughtering. As a comparison, food safety standards within the fishing industry are very high compared to those in the current meat industry.

Why the concern?

In many cases, backyard slaughtering is carried out in unhygienic conditions, disinfection is often not carried out and meat is not effectively protected from flies, dust and other deleterious matter. Waste and water are not always adequately disposed off. There is often inappropriate storage and holding of meat, and the mode of transporting meat to sell to the public is sometimes poor, with some vehicles being used for multiple purposes.

In backyard slaughter, animals are often dragged and butchered while still alive. Some sheep and goats are killed without ‘stunning’ first. Animals are at risk of suffering prolonged deaths, sometimes at the hands of untrained and unskilled backyard slaughterers.

This is not to mention the effect on close neighbours.

How do slaughterhouses compare?

A registered slaughterhouse is designed and constructed so as to ensure hygienic slaughter and so arranged to provide adequate space and facilities for the efficient dressing of carcasses, meat inspection and related activities. They permit clean operations to be carried out separately from those liable to give rise to contamination, and they permit functioning of all operations under hygienic conditions. Registered slaughterhouses are also effectively screened from pests and other vermin.

The slaughterhouses are equipped with stunning apparatus and slaughtermen are trained and experienced.

Will backyard slaughter be allowed at all?

The rearing of animals is of great importance both socially and economically. The issue of home slaughter for retail is a sensitive matter, but the establishment of slaughter facilities of sufficiently high standards, simple and relatively inexpensive, would improve matters greatly.

During the forthcoming consultation period on the introduction of this new legislation, we want to hear your views on backyard slaughtering and how you would address the main hygiene concerns. We can then adopt a solution that takes into account local conditions, bearing in mind the primary objective of food safety.

SHG

11 November 2015

On Friday 6 November 2015 St Helena celebrated its inaugural Teacher Appreciation Day – when teachers on the Island received thank you notes, handmade gifts and other treats from schoolchildren and fellow colleagues alike – highlighting the value and importance placed on teachers within St Helena’s community.

As a mark of this value, Governor and Mrs Capes hosted an evening reception on the day at Plantation House, where teachers and former students came together to celebrate their joint achievements.

Governor Capes said:

“I am happy to have this opportunity to host an evening for those on the Island who nurture St Helena’s most precious resource, our children. 

 “This reception marks Teacher Appreciation Day, which I am told is the first one to be held on the Island.  If that is the case, then this is well overdue and I would like to say ‘Thank You’ to the Education Committee and the Education Directorate for all their hard work in developing the Strategic Development Plan for Teaching – which results in today’s celebrations. 

 “We often speak about the Airport and it can sometimes seem to dominate our discussions on developing future opportunities.  But what is really important is the role teachers play in equipping young Saints with the skills necessary to take the Island forward.” 

Councillor Nigel Dollery spoke about the return of graduates Stacey Thomas, Derrie Yon and Laura Lawrence who, with their newly acquired skills, will strengthen the teaching profession themselves.

Director of Education, Shirley Wahler, concluded:

“This is our day to say Thank You.  I want to join all those other voices to say well done for overcoming tough obstacles and continuing in your profession.  And tonight we are paying a special tribute for those teachers who have served for over twenty years in continuous service.”

 During the evening, Maureen Plato, Dulcie Herne, Patricia Henry, Edna Richards, Hazel Peters, Barbara Osborne, Nicholas Plato, Carlene Crowie, Elaine Benjamin, Patricia Williams and Eileen Hudson received awards for their continuous service, with Eileen Hudson being the longest current serving teacher at 43 years in the teaching profession.

A new Scheme of Service was also officially launched on the night.  This scheme is designed to encourage career development, develop new skills and competencies and reward current teaching staff.  Further details on this new scheme will follow.

Photo Gallery Attachment

SHG

11 November 2015 

On Sunday 8 November 2015, a Divine Service was held at the Cenotaph, in honour of those who had lost their lives or had been injured during Active Duty. His Excellency the Governor and Mrs Capes arrived at 10.55am, when the Right Reverend Lord Bishop, Dr Richard Fenwick, invited those in attendance to pray, before observing a two-minute silence, signalled by the Last Post.

Wreaths were then laid by the Governor, Representatives from the French Republic, (Mrs Susan O’Bey), the Army (Mr Geoffrey Dawson), the Royal Navy (Mr Jack Horner), the Royal Air Force (Mr Marco Yon), the Merchant Navy (Mr Chedrick Jonas), St Helena Police Service (Constable Christopher Joshua) and St Helena Fire & Sea Rescue Service (Mr Matthew Benjamin). Members of the public, including several schoolchildren, also laid wreaths.

Prayers were led by Father Fred, Father Christopher, Lieutenant Coral Yon and Elder Patricia Duncan. During the Service, hymns were sung, including ‘O God, Our Help in Ages Past’, ‘The Lord’s My Shepherd’ and ‘Praise My Soul the King of Heaven’. The Act of Commitment was made and acts of peace were then offered. The Service concluded with the National Anthem and Blessing, followed by the traditional March-Past outside the Court House, with music from the Get-togethers orchestra and the Salvation Army.

As usual, Remembrance Sunday on St Helena was very well observed and attended.

SHG                                                                                                                                     

9 November 2015

From Sunday 1 November 2015, the St Helena Biosecurity Team’s work is being assisted by a four-legged recruit – biosecurity detector dog Harriet (photo attached). Harriet is a locally owned dog who has been trained by Paul Laban to detect honey and certain fruit items, and she will be using her superb sense of smell to sniff out concealed items in baggage and cargo.

Honey is one of the items most frequently smuggled into St Helena. But St Helena’s bees are almost unique in the world in having no diseases – and we are keen to keep it this way. Honey is unprocessed, unlike jam and marmalade, and can harbour bacteria and fungus diseases. Island bananas are also free of diseases and it is therefore important to prevent the import of honey and bananas – to protect our local products.

Pest Control and Biosecurity Officer at ANRD, Jill Key, said:

“Having a trained detector dog is a big asset for the Biosecurity Team as it greatly extends our ability to detect concealed restricted items.  Harriet is the perfect dog for this – friendly and gentle, yet a very keen searcher.”

Harriet’s first day of work coincided with the arrival of the MS Amadea, where she proved a big attraction for the cruise ship passengers, who were pleased to meet her and take pictures.

Harriet is a young dog, and her training will continue and expand the range of items she can detect.

SHG

9 November 2015

TO ACHIEVE OPERATIONAL READINESS

The St Helena Airport Programme Board – comprising SHG, DFID, FCO and Basil Read – yesterday recommended that it would be necessary and prudent to grant a short period of additional time in order to fine tune the operational readiness of St Helena Airport.

The Programme Board does not anticipate a significant revision to the commencement date for commercial flights beyond the original projected date of late February 2016, but has recommended this pragmatic step now so that we can conclude the calibration works and other preparations for safe and secure commercial operations. Executive Council Members are in agreement, and we have conveyed this decision to Comair and Penspen.

Subject to final certification and operational readiness, the Board still expects St Helena Airport to be accepting commercial flights before the planned Official Opening of the Airport in May 2016.

As before, a decision on when to sell tickets for Comair flights will be made only when the Airport has been certified. To that end, we expect the regulator, Air Safety Support International, to visit St Helena in January 2016 to carry out a full inspection audit of the Airport’s compliance with aviation regulations and that will inform a decision on ticket sale timing.

SHG
6 November 201

WEDNESDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2015

The second formal session (for 2015) of the Public Accounts Committee will take place on Wednesday, 11 November, at 10am in the Court House, Jamestown.

The Order Paper for the meeting is as follows:

1. Chairman’s Address
2. St Helena Audit Service: St Helena Airport Project Overview Audit
3. St Helena Line Limited

In respect of Remembrance Day, a one minute silence will be observed at the meeting at 11am.

 The public is invited to attend.

 SHG

9 November 2015

Dr Martin Collins (pictured) arrived on Island on 14 October 2015 to undertake his role as Fisheries Scientist on the Darwin Plus funded project: Sustainable Development and Management of St Helena’s Fisheries and Marine Tourism. Martin is initially on Island until 6 January 2016, and will return three more times during the project which will see him return in March and August 2016 and again in February 2017.

Martin will develop a fisheries science programme that will underpin the sustainable management of St Helena’s fisheries and build into a fisheries management strategy. He will also be analysing historic data to investigate how the sea surface temperature influences the catch of tuna in St Helena waters.

Martin will also be building a new database to store fish catch and to measure and weigh fish. He also plans to establish a tagging programme for Yellowfin Tuna and some of the inshore species.

Martin said:

“I want to help St Helena get better prices for sustainably caught fish on the export market. There is strong demand for sustainably caught, pole and line tuna, and I think there are opportunities for St Helena to meet some of this demand.”

Martin has worked in the areas of fish and fisheries for over twenty years. After he graduated from university, his first job was as a fisheries observer in the Falkland Islands. He then studied for a PhD in Ireland and was a lecturer at Aberdeen University. From there he worked as a marine biologist with the British Antarctic Survey from 2002-2009. His most recent job was Chief Executive and Director of Fisheries for the Government of South Georgia.

Martin added:

“A good fisheries science programme can help demonstrate and improve sustainability and best practice. This job will involve me spending time at the processing plant at Rupert’s and going out to sea on fishing boats – which I am really looking forward to.”

6 November 2015
SHG

WEDNESDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2015

The Highways Authority has given approval for Side Path Road to be closed on Wednesday 11 November 2015 from 1.30 to 3.30pm. This closure will allow the Rock Guards to stabilise and secure a rock above the road, in the interest of public safety. As normal, only emergency vehicles will be granted access.

The Roads Section thanks the public in advance for their continued understanding and cooperation.

SHG

6 November 2015

ROAD CLOSURE

The public is advised that the Highways Authority has given approval for the road and area surrounding the Cenotaph to Donny’s Place, to be closed on the morning of Sunday 8 November 2015 in order for the Remembrance Day Service to take place.

The road and surrounding area will be closed from 3am on Sunday until the ceremony has been concluded.

Appropriate signs will be in place and the public is thanked in advance for their cooperation.

SHG

6 November 2015

A large scale major incident exercise took place at St Helena Airport on Wednesday 4 November 2015, as part of the Airport certification audits.

The emergency scenario simulated a crash landing at the Airport with a total of 55 passengers and crew onboard the aircraft. This exercise was very challenging with many of the people on board suffering a range of injuries. The response was led by the Airport fire fighting team and other staff, supported by the St Helena Police, Fire & Rescue and Sea Rescue teams, Health Directorate staff and senior managers and Directors. The exercise was also made possible by the large number of volunteers who participated as role actors, safety marshals and umpires (see photo attached).

Chief of Police, Trevor Botting said:

“This was a big day for St Helena Airport and was the culmination of much hard work over the last year as we developed our emergency response capability. I was very proud of all the officers and staff from St Helena who responded to the exercise with enthusiasm, commitment and professionalism.

“One of the most impressive parts of the exercise was the way in which teams from SHG worked very closely and effectively with teams and staff from the Airport. I am confident that the collaborative approach taken on Wednesday will stand St Helena in great stead for the future as we strive to keep St Helena and the Airport safe. I also want to say thank you to all of those who gave up their time as role actors and marshals for the exercise and who helped make it a great success.”

Airport Manager, Nigel Spackman added:

“This was a very important event in the certification process for St Helena Airport as it’s essential that we instil confidence in the Regulator of our ability to react as a cohesive group in our response to an incident.

“Much planning, development and commitment has gone into preparing for this exercise – and taking place alongside other audits made it all the more challenging.

“The feedback I have received from the Regulator has been very positive indeed, commenting that our interagency working was impressive and our emergency response was better than at many well established Airports.  I am very proud and thankful to all those who contributed to this effort.

“This has established a robust foundation for our continuing efforts to ensure the Airport has the best possible emergency response – and will help to ensure the travelling public are confident in our ability to keep them safe.”

SHG

6 November 2015