Document type: Written answer from the European Commission
Authors: Question: Christine Schneider (EPP). Answer: Mem Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission
Question: Mobile slaughterhouses
The Committee of Inquiry set up to investigate alleged contraventions in the application of Union law in relation to the protection of animals during transport and related operations within and outside the EU (ANIT Committee) submitted its final report in December. In particular, the report calls for stricter rules on transport and rest periods. It also calls for the development of mobile slaughterhouses in order to eliminate, as far as possible, the need to transport live animals.
Our aim with the farm-to-fork strategy is to make the entire EU food system more sustainable. Decentralised and mobile slaughterhouses could help achieve this. Mobile slaughterhouses would also make it unnecessary to transport live animals.
With the above in mind, I have the following questions about mobile slaughterhouses:
1. Are mobile slaughterhouses permitted under EU law, and if so, under what conditions?
2. Can mobile slaughterhouses receive financial support under an EU funding programme?
3. In the Commission’s view, would it be possible to launch a pilot project in this area?
1. Mobile slaughterhouses are allowed in the EU under the same conditions as fixed slaughterhouses as regards hygiene conditions, approval and official controls. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 853/2004, Member States may adapt requirements on construction, layout and equipment of the mobile slaughterhouses under national law. In addition, slaughter and bleeding of bovine, porcine and equine animals at the holding of provenance has been authorised in that regulation under certain conditions when the animals cannot be transported to the slaughterhouse, to avoid any risk for the handler and to prevent any injuries to the animals during transport.
2. Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) support for rural development could include investment support for local small-scale slaughterhouses, including mobile slaughterhouses. Member States may propose such support in line with its needs assessment and intervention strategy in their CAP Strategic Plans.
3. The Commission is aware of several ongoing pilot projects on mobile slaughterhouses and follows their outcomes closely.
