Document type: Answer to o a question, published in th Journal Officiel de la République Française
Authors: question : M. Aurélien Le Coq (Nord (1st district) - La France insoumise - Nouveau Front Populaire). Answer: Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty.
Question: Mr. Aurélien Le Coq draws the attention of the French Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty to the inhumane slaughtering practices used in certain abattoirs in France. On April 25, 2025, an investigation by the L214 group shed light on slaughtering techniques employed in an abattoir. The investigation revealed acts of cruelty, severe abuse and mistreatment of animals. Unfortunately, these practices are not an isolated case, and questions are asked about many abattoirs. As well as highlighting the continued use of cruel slaughter methods, these revelations also demonstrate the inability of the public authorities to properly ensure compliance with their own standards. These practices contravene the objectives set out in Regulation (EC) No. 1099/2009, in particular that "operators or any person involved in the killing of animals should take the necessary measures to avoid pain and minimize distress and suffering in animals". He requests an audit of all French abattoirs, with publication of the reports, to guarantee transparency and compliance with standards.
Answer: It should first be pointed out that, despite the sometimes shocking nature of the images broadcast by certain associations from inside French slaughterhouses, the comments made by these associations are often exaggerated in relation to the reality of the facts. In fact, in the most recent videos posted online and cited, although anomalies in animal handling and the operation of certain equipment can be observed, these videos do not show animals being decapitated or cut up alive, let alone conscious, contrary to what has been reported in the press. Finally, it should be remembered that the footage taken by the L214 association in slaughterhouses was taken without the slaughterhouse's consent and by illegally entering its facilities, whereas the association cannot claim whistleblower status (https://www.defenseurdesdroits.fr/le-lanceur-dalerte-une-definition-precise-pour-beneficier-dun-statut-protecteur-696). The slaughter of animals for slaughter is one of the most closely controlled economic activities in any sector. In fact, government agents are permanently on hand to carry out checks during all slaughtering periods. This control activity currently mobilizes 1,265 full-time equivalents (FTEs) for French slaughterhouses. DDPP (Direction Départementale de la Protection des Populations) staff are on hand in slaughterhouses on a daily basis to carry out regular checks on meat quality, production hygiene and animal welfare. In addition, full animal protection audits are carried out at least once a year, or more frequently if the slaughterhouse is identified as posing a particular risk. These inspections give rise to reports and, where necessary, to proportionate administrative and penal follow-up, up to and including closure of the establishment. The Direction Générale de l'Alimentation (DGAL) monitors slaughterhouses on a national scale, and since early 2022 has strengthened its intervention capacity by setting up a national inspection force (FINA) to support departmental services in the most complex cases. This force, which stems from the 2021 slaughterhouse plan referred to above, can be mobilized at the request of the departmental prefect, who alone is competent to decide on the closure of a slaughterhouse. To date, FINA has intervened in 26 slaughterhouses, taking the necessary steps to bring them into line with regulations. Finally, as mentioned above, video monitoring of animal protection in slaughterhouses is a tool for progress, enabling the detection and reduction of any non-conformities in slaughterhouse animal protection control procedures. However, the cost of installing the system and its acceptance by slaughterhouse personnel remain a limiting factor to its widespread use. Further action on this subject is currently under discussion with the industry and animal protection associations. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty is particularly aware of the suspicions currently hanging over slaughterhouses, but is also fully aware of the vital role they play in the food chain. It remains determined to provide all the necessary responsiveness to maintain the confidence of its fellow citizens and consumers in the slaughtering business, and to impose sanctions that are proportionate to the nature and seriousness of the non-compliances observed, on operators who fail to comply with the animal protection requirements that apply to all. The future of the meat industry depends on it.
