LIFE has returned to normal at a West Devon abattoir following Defra's decision last week to lift a ban on the slaughter of over-30-month cattle. West Devon Meat at Hatherleigh were given the go-ahead by officials to reopen to full capacity this Monday. The over-30-month licence was suspended on December 1 after a mix-up arose over samples of brain stem tissue taken from cows slaughtered at the abattoir. Peter Bowyer, from West Devon Meat, said he was 'pleased and relieved' at being allowed to resume business — emotions shared by local farmers, who, he said, had been hit hard by the suspension. West Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox expressed his satisfaction at Defra's decision. Mr Cox had contacted Defra minister Ben Bradshaw's office in the first week of January and ensured a letter was placed on the minister's desk on the Monday morning for his return from vacation. Three days later, the decision to restore the full capacity of the abattoir with the co-operation of the Food Standards Agency and the abattoir's management has been approved. Mr Cox said: 'I have placed consistent pressure since before Christmas on Defra and the Food Standards Agency to recognise the urgency of the need to restore over-30-month operations at West Devon Meat. 'I am glad that ministers have taken on board that message and have moved quickly after Christmas to announce this vital decision, and I hope that farmers can start to clear the substantial cattle backlog that has built up.' Before Christmas, Mr Cox met with Defra minister Lord Rooker to warm him of the consequences of the slow investigation into West Devon Meat's breach of the regulations was having on farmers and animals throughout the area. He impressed on officials from the FSA and Meat Hygiene Service the vital role of the fully functioning abattoir in Hatherleigh to the region's livestock economy. West Devon Meat typically slaughters more than 1,000 cattle and 2,000 sheep a week. Mr Bowyer said it was difficult to state the precise size of the cattle backlog, but he hoped West Devon Meat would be able to clear it completely within a fortnight to three weeks.
