| Occupation | |
|---|---|
Occupation type | Vocation |
Activity sectors | Manufacturing |
| Description | |
Fields of employment | Retail |
Related jobs | Animal husbandry |
A butcher is a person who may slaughter animals, dress their flesh, sell their meat, or participate within any combination of these three tasks.[1] They may prepare standard cuts of meat and poultry for sale in retail or wholesale food establishments. A butcher may be employed by supermarkets, grocery stores, butcher shops and fish markets, slaughter houses, or may be self-employed.[2]
Butchery is an ancient trade, whose duties may date back to the domestication of livestock; its practitioners formed guilds in England as far back as 1272.[3] Since the 20th century, many countries and local jurisdictions offer trade certifications for butchers in order to ensure quality, safety, and health standards but not all butchers have formal certification or training. Trade qualification in English-speaking countries is often earned through an apprenticeship although some training organisations also certify their students. In Canada, once a butcher is trade qualified, they can learn to become a master butcher (Fleishmaster).[4][5]
Standards and practices of butchery differ between countries, regions and ethnic groups. Variation with respect to the types of animals that are butchered as well as the cuts and parts of the animal that are sold depends on the types of foods that are prepared by the butcher's customers.
- ^ "Merriam-Webster's Dictionary's definition of "butcher"". Archived from the original on 2013-05-12. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
- ^ "Employment information for butchers". Archived from the original on 2010-04-05. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
- ^ "York Butchers' Guild". Yorkbutchersgild.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-08. Retrieved 2012-04-04.
- ^ "Job futures statistics". Servicecanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 2009-08-07.
- ^ "Master Butcher's Guide". Members.shaw.ca. Archived from the original on 2006-09-23.