Critical shortage of slaughter lines for short-chain pig farmers

Since 2018, numerous slaughterhouses and slaughter lines for short-chain farmers have disappeared in Belgium. This means that these farmers have to drive many kilometers to have their animals slaughtered. And that is at odds with the whole idea of ​​the short chain.

Urgent need for smaller, decentralized slaughterhouses

The list of slaughterhouses and slaughter lines that closed in recent years or where short-chain farmers can no longer go is long. Crossing half the country to have pigs slaughtered (and collect the carcasses afterwards) is therefore the only option left. This endangers the earnings model of the short-chain pig farmers and is also not in line with the philosophy of the short-chain.

Slaughter yourself or together?

A possible solution could be to slaughter in smaller, regional cooperative slaughterhouses or in micro-slaughterhouses on the own farm. Unfortunately, this appears to be almost impossible today because the regulations have not been adapted to this. However, it is already possible in the Netherlands, Germany and France.

Short chain to slaughter

Local slaughterhouses could avoid live transport of pigs completely or as much as possible. Moreover, they are adapted to the specific needs of the short chain and there is a lower risk of the spread of diseases. But above all, the short-chain farmers would be able to extend the beautiful story that they write on their farm to the slaughter.

Source: vilt.be