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TV cameras switch on to meaty topic

Eve Dugdale
31/ 1/2007

CELEBRITIES, staunch vegetarians and members of the public descended on a Glossop abattoir recently.

They were being filmed as part of a BBC programme intended to show the link between two moments often separated - the death of an animal and the consumption of its meat.

Butcher John Mettrick was asked to show a panel of 50 people through the processes he undertakes.

The award-winning trader, who is no stranger to the limelight following the success of the BBC's hit comedy the League of Gentleman, which used his butcher's shop, was approached because of his reputation in the industry.

"They wanted to show a working abattoir. They wanted to reconnect people with where food comes from - to have an animal fresh in their minds and show what happens," he said.

"It was quite a positive response. Some vegetarians said although they wouldn't start eating meat again they appreciated what we were doing, they saw it was a very skilled process."

So impressed by the abattoir were executives from the Meat Hygiene Service, that they are in talks with lecturers at Liverpool university for trainee vets to use it as a learning aid.

John said: "The deputy of the Meat Hygiene Service was very, very complimentary about the way the abattoir works and the hygiene levels. Because we have a viewing window as well, they are coming in from the university to see whether it may be useful for their course."

'Meat' is presented by award-winning journalist and presenter of BBC2's 'Full on Food' Richard Johnson, and is due to be aired on BBC3 in March.