Question NW584 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
05 April 2024 - NW584
Engelbrecht, Mr J to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1) What (a) is the total number of chickens that died before being sent to the abattoir during the week of 26 February 2024 to 1 March 2024 at the animal production farm of the Drankenstein Correctional Facility, (b) are the detailed reasons leading to the death of the chickens and (c) is the (i) total number of people currently employed in the abattoirs and (ii) breakdown of the number of persons who have the knowledge and experience with meat inspection; (2) whether his department procured the services of a private company to do meat inspections; if not, why not; if so, (a) what total amount did it cost his department and (b) on what date did his department procure the services; (3) what does it cost to feed a chicken from day-old to slaughter at the animal production farm of the Drankenstein Correctional Facility?
Reply:
(1)(a) According to the service level standards, chickens may be slaughtered from forty-two (42) days of which none of the chickens that died during the mentioned period had reached 42 days. It should be noted however that a total of five thousand seven hundred and sixty nine (5769) chickens twenty-eights (28) days old, died during the week of 26 February 2024 to 1 March 2024 at the animal production farm of the Drankenstein Correctional Centre, the breakdown is as follows:
- 26 February 2024 – twelve (12)
- 27 February 2024 – twelve (12)
- 28 February 2024 – Twenty-one (21)
- 29 February 2024 – Five thousand seven hundred and one (5701)
- 01 March 2024 – Twenty-three (23)
(1)(b) The mortalities of 26-28 February 2024 are within the acceptable norm of broiler projects. The mortalities of 29 February 2024 were due to extremely hot weather which was reported to be forty-three (43) degrees in Paarl. The situation was aggravated by an unplanned water down which affected the broiler houses’ cooling system due to maintenance by a service provider for a period of approximately five (05) hours. It is important to mention that the service provider was appointed by Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
(1)(c)(i) A total of seven (07) officials are currently employed in the abattoirs.
(1)(c)(ii) A total four (04) officials with Poultry Meat examination accreditation are currently working at the abattoir.
(2) Yes, the department procured the services of a private company to do meat inspections.
(2)(a) The Independent Meat Inspector 12 Month Contract is at a cost of R600 000 and the meat examiner month to month contract is at a cost of R45 000 per month.
(2)(b) The contract for the Meat inspector started on 01 July 2024 and will end on 30 June 2024. The meat examiner services have been provided on a month to month basis starting September 2023.
(3) Average cost to feed a chicken from day-old to slaughter is R35.93 per chicken.
It should be noted that the Department of Correctional Services implements policies in line with the Agriculture Service Level Standards, which are informed by industry norms and standards, Bio-security plan and Meat Safety Act, which is applicable to all abattoirs.
END