Document type : Answer from the European Commission
Authors: Question: Harald Vilimsky (ID). Answer: Ms Kyriakides for the European Commission.
Question: Animal transports and mobile slaughterhouses
Already some time ago, Germany and France introduced innovative slaughter methods — the so-called mobile slaughtering. This initiative prevents animals from having to suffer terribly while being transported for hours and days before slaughter.
- Would it not be in the Commission’s interest to finance and promote such projects — in Germany there is the so-called Extrawurst-Pilot Project for mobile slaughter?
- Is the Commission aware of other such projects in other EU Member States, in order to be able to exchange information?
Answer: The Commission has not provided direct funding targeted at supporting mobile slaughterhouses. It is at the discretion of Member States to use EU funding to do so. Mobile slaughterhouses are eligible for support under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). The physical investment, such as the track or the slaughtering equipment, can be carried out under the measure ‘Investments in physical assets’. The immaterial investment, such as research and promotion activities, can be programmed under the cooperation measure. Mobile slaughterhouses may also be eligible as a basic service to rural population open to all shepherds and/or other inhabitants.
The number, and size, of mobile slaughterhouses is very small compared with fixed ones. Costs are usually higher than for fixed establishments and throughputs are lower. While the Commission does not have comprehensive information on the issue, it seems that mobile slaughterhouses represent an interest in particular geographical and societal contexts. Therefore, the Commission considers that the funding of such establishments should be primarily decided at regional level, as it is the case today.
There is no obligation for Member States to inform the Commission on their initiatives on mobile slaughterhouses. Therefore, the Commission does not have comprehensive information on this subject.
