The veterinarian and manager of this slaughterhouse were open to our EonA/AWF team inspecting the conditions for welfare at their slaughterhouse and interested in our teams’ recommendations. We are very grateful for their open attitude, it is a step in the right direction towards improvements. Today cattle, buffalo and sheep arrived. First cattle were slaughtered Kosher, thereafter Halal. Both without pre or post stunning, as is still often the case with Retiual Slaughter and for Turkey.
There is potential in this plant though as they at least have some better equipment compared to other plants we have been to in the past, and the design of the runway does not have any sharp corners. Nevertheless, some of the “better” equipment that could provide better conditions was not being used because it was broken. For example, they had five dividers that could be used in the chute to separate animals, but only two worked. As a result, each bull could not be kept separate from one another and thus bulls were placed in the chute in groups of 4. This resulted in them mounting eachother and consequently falling down. Two were stuck on the ground with the others having no choice but to walk over them. As well, there is a big risk for serious injury by moving bulls this way. Some handling was also not acceptable, such as tail twisting and electric shocks and of the hoisting by one leg after release from the unacceptable trip-floor box.
By making some simple changes, such as using the dividers, installing more light and blocking view ahead of slaughter process to ease animal-movement (animals will walk more easily towards lit-up areas rather than dark and scary areas), one could at least reduce a lot of the stress and ease handling. Eventually they need to invest money into a different restraint box to also stop live-hoisting of the cattle by their legs. Good points were the anti-slip ramp, the relatively calm handling beforehand in the lairage, the solid sides of the chute and the openess of the people. Even many of the animal-traders and truck-drivers were listening to Dr. Eser’s advice from our team. Additionally, the sheep were not hoisted alive by one leg but instead a V-restrainer was used, and the sheep was cut and bled out before being hung.
We have an “office” meeting planned with them again on Thursday evening where we can discuss calmly the good and bad points, and practical ideas to make improvements quickly in their plant.
