The Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) surveyed the enforcement of animal protection guidelines in the slaugthter of ruminants and pigs. The results are alarming. There are severe shortcomings in the stabling of the animals, the stunning and the bleeding. Swiss Animal Protection concludes urgent need of action.

By request of the FSVO, the Federal Food Chain Unit (FFCU) conducted inspections of swiss abattoirs between January 2018 and March 2019. The results were now published.

Various issues concerning enforcement of animal welfare and meat controlling procedures were carried out in 67 abattoirs by means of announced audits. Regarding animal protection there resulted serious flaws in almost every plant, especially in small and middle-sized ones. These were mainly connected to the stabling of animals overnight, to stunning and to bleeding. However, there were deficits not only in the abattoirs but also on the side of the officials and examiners. Propulsory controls of animal welfare standards are carried out rarely or not at all. There is a lack of capital and human resources as well as professional expertise to control the proceedings in each abattoir. In addition, the existing means to sanction cruelty to animals in abattoirs are completely insufficient.

Intolerable
The flaws shown in the survey are absolutely intolerable for Swiss Animal Protection SAP. Respectful handling of animals on their last journey is an ethical prerequisite and part of a comprehensive animal protection. Mistakes and shortcomings in abattoirs become the fate of individual animal beings.

The SAP demands a rise of responsability from the abattoirs. Well trained employees are indispensable. The use of adequate and fully functional tools as well as the propulsory control of successful stunning should be self-evident. At the same time, officals and examiners must be equipped with the necessary resources in order to fulfill their duties as inspectors and controllers. And last but not least: in case of cruelty to animals there is strong need of efficient penal means leading to withdrawal of authorisation if necessary.

Here You find the report of the FSVO to the survey in german.

Media release of the SAP of January 14th 2020 (german)