News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

SCRAPPING meat inspectors could have deadly consequences for British shoppers, a report warns today.

Meat eaters could face a heightened risk of food poisoning from chicken bought in supermarkets and restaurants if the European Commission pushes ahead with plans to remove independent meat inspectors from slaughterhouses, the union study claims.

The Unison report containing analysis of food inspections on poultry slaughterhouses across Europe has revealed a catalogue of failings to comply with existing EU standards.

It claims many slaughterhouses are already incapable of ensuring that food is free from disease and septicaemia, and raises concerns about what might happen if inspections were to disappear.

It examined the audits of inspections carried out at 72 poultry slaughterhouses between 2010 and 2014 by the European Commission’s food and veterinary office in countries including Italy, France, Romania and Estonia.

(Image: Getty)

The Unison-commissioned research uncovered cases of chicken meat with contamination, mainly as a result of carcasses being sprayed with water on production lines - causing contaminates to other meat as well as to surfaces and equipment.

This cross-contamination spreads dangerous bacteria such as campylobacter – a major cause of food poisoning in Britain, it says.

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: “Many slaughterhouses across Europe are already failing to abide by official standards designed to protect public health.

“Removing independent inspections altogether could have deadly consequences for consumers, as the meat from chicken is found in many pies, pastries and other products on sale across the UK.

“These threatened EU changes mean slaughterhouses will effectively be allowed to mark their own homework.”