More and more local slaughterhouses are closing their doors

At the end of July, the last sheep slaughterhouse in the province of Antwerp closed. The closure of local slaughterhouses is gradually becoming a trend and makes the local slaughter of sheep, goats, pigs or poultry for the short chain in certain regions more and more difficult. Structural solutions for local slaughter infrastructure are therefore imperative.

No local meat without nearby slaughter infrastructure

Having to drive more than 100 kilometers every week to have their animals slaughtered is the reality for more and more farmers. More small-scale slaughterhouses are expected to close in the future. Alternatives are therefore fully studied and amendments to the legislation, for example enabling the mobile slaughter of small lots, are being investigated. In the meantime, the short chain is no longer as short as before for farmers from certain parts of our country.

After a French example?

In France, the Minister of Agriculture has set up a 'national slaughterhouse plan'. A daring choice, because the slaughter of animals today is sensitive to public opinion. With this plan, France has opted to invest fully in the local slaughter infrastructure and in slaughter control.

Investing in the short chain

In our country, a political commitment was made a few months ago to better support initiatives related to the short chain. A structural solution for maintaining local slaughterhouses should not be missing, according to Bart Thoelen of Steunpunt Korte Keten in an opinion piece.

Source: vilt.be