Abattoir mounts legal challenge to licence refusal
30 Jan 07
Court action aimed at keeping sole Borders abattoir running
An abattoir in the Scottish Borders has going to court in an attempt to remain in operation, following a licence refusal by the Food Standards Agency.
The Scottish Borders Abattoir in Galashiels failed a hygiene inspection carried out by the Agency last year, resulting in the Agency refusing the necessary licences to handle red meat.
The abattoir claims the decision is unreasonable and puts jobs at risk. In its application to Selkirk Sheriff Court it asks the court to overturn the decision or have the FSA carry out another inspection. This is only the second time an abbatoir has challenged the FSA in court.
If the abattoir closes, animals would need to be transported to Linlithgow for slaughtering - a prospect that alarms the Meat Traders Federation in Scotland.