Serious animal welfare failures
revealed in Spanish slaughterhouses
Posted on 22/02/2012
Eurogroup for Animals is horrified by the report published recently by the Food and Veterinary Office on the state of Spanish slaughterhouses. The report follows an audit carried out in May 2011 which aimed at evaluating the official controls related to slaughter and processing of fresh meat, in particular fresh ovine and equine meat.
The report reveals that in six out of eight slaughterhouses, the performance of the food performance operator was s poor and workers were not properly trained and were not using the appropriate slaughter techniques. Significant problems with cleaning and slaughter hygiene were reported. In three of the slaughterhouses, major deficiencies relating to the potential contamination of meat were detected; public health risks could not be excluded as a result. Finally, in four of the seven slaughterhouses animal welfare requirements laid down in Council Directive 93/119/EC were not respected, in particular stunning operations for lambs and horses.
Eurogroup is shocked by this appalling situation and urges the Spanish Competent Authority to take immediate measures to correct the multiple deficiencies identified. It is even more important the Spanish authorities remain under pressure to ensure they not only correct what is wrong now but prepare to implement the new Slaughter Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 as of 1 January 2013.
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