This afternoon we met with the Managers of Cemsan, a company in Turkey that makes slaughter equipment.
They are now making a “kill-box” that does not require cattle to be hoisted alive by one leg during slaughter without stunning. It is a type of squeeze chute that can either rotate 90 degrees or 180 degrees.
They are advising to their slaughterhouse customers to invest in such a box as it causes less loss of meat quality and less suffering than when animals are hoisted alive. They find the best for welfare is when the box is only rotated 90 degrees, so that the cattle is lying on its side when the throat is cut.
Athough some top ethologists and veterinarians recommend up-straint restrainers over such rotating boxes for non-stunning Ritual slaughter, Cemsan says that it is not yet clear if the Religious Authorities will allow up-straint restrainers in Turkey as the animal is supposed to be lying horizontally during sacrifice. Should it be allowed, they will look into building these too.
They knew all about Dr. Temple Grandin’s studies, techniques to use animal behaviour in their designs to reduce stress (such as a curved raceway and always towards the light). We held a very interesting talk and will stay in touch to be sure that slaughterhouses in Turkey have easy access to affordable equipment that is designed taking animal-behaviour and welfare into consideration.
