HUGE ABATTOIR

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 282, 18 February 1928, Page 26

HUGE ABATTOIR

LIVERPOOL TO BUILD BIGGEST IN WORLD Of immense importance to cattle, sheep and pig-raising countries is the decision of the Liverpool City Council to build the biggest abattoir in the world, at a cost of over £632,000. The trade estimate that the following number of animals will be slaughtered annually in the new abattoir: Cattle, 66,500; sheep, 556,500; calves, 47,500; pigs, 109,000. 8,000 Tons of Steel The buildings will cover 15 acres, and steel weighing about 8,000 tons will be used. The total floor space, all of reinforced concrete, will be about 20 acres. The main features of the scheme include a market for cattle, sheep and pigs, and the portion to be immediately completed will have accommodation for 1,000 cattle. 3.500 sheep and 1,500 pigs. The capacity for the lairage and slaughter of pigs will be equal to 2,000 a day. The lairages have been designed so that they can be used for long-period use, and full arrangements have been made for feeding and watering on the most modern principles. Vast Capacity The capacity of this unit will be equal to 1.246 cattle and 6,000 sheep. There will be three floors connected with easy gradient ramps of a total length of about three-quarters of a mile. In the abattoir accommodation has been designed for intensive slaughter on the American system, under which 1,000 head of cattle and 7,000 sheep can be dealt with. Adjoining the dressing stations will be atmospheric cooling rooms equal to a full day’s kill. The carcases will be moved from the abattoir through the cooling and chill rooms co the railway sidings by means of lifts and a continuous overhead rail system. Experience of other countries has been sought, and the latest electrical dropping devices and hoists will be used.