Three meat processing plants will take part in a trial of sheep inspections to see if meat company workers can carry out product checks currently done by independent Government assessors.

The Food Safety Authority is running the six-month trial, starting in November.

The tests look for meat flaws including contamination, scar tissue and cysts.

Food Safety Authority acting deputy director Carol Barnao says the trial is about making the meat industry take more responsibility for best practice.

But Ms. Barnao says meat will continue to be inspected by Government officials for the forseeable future.