Slaughter: Brussels Is Called Upon to Respond to Violations of EU Regulations

  The European Parliament’s Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals, during its 310th session in Strasbourg, called on the Commission to ban as soon as possible methods of killing animals that cause intense suffering, such as slaughter without stunning, carbon dioxide gassing of pigs, and electric baths for poultry. This request from the Intergroup followed the presentation by three animal welfare organizations (Eurogroup for Animals, Eyes on Animals, and Gaia) of impact assessments on animal welfare regarding the new EU regulation* “on animal protection at the time of killing.”   Most citizens believe that this regulation, which has been in effect since January 1, 2013, has improved animal welfare. In reality, the three speakers demonstrated that progress remains very limited and that slaughter methods causing pain or distress are still widely used. Furthermore, audits conducted by the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) since 2013 in fourteen Member States reveal that EU regulations are neither properly enforced nor complied with.   Eurogroup for Animals acknowledges that certain provisions of the regulation are positive, such as the training requirement for slaughterhouse staff and the designation of an animal welfare officer. However, it also criticizes the negative aspects of the legislation, such as the option to gas pigs with CO₂ or to immerse poultry in an electric water bath. Yet despite the numerous violations identified by OAV inspectors, the European Commission has chosen to launch a three-year training program rather than initiate infringement proceedings against the offending countries. Meanwhile, millions of animals continue to suffer unnecessarily during slaughter.   For its part, Eyes on Animals also condemns the stunning of pigs with carbon dioxide, a method that causes pain and panic in these animals for up to one minute. Yet, as far back as ten years ago, the European Food Safety Authority had already called on Member States to abandon this method, which it deemed inhumane. Finally, the Belgian organization Gaia has demonstrated the suffering of animals slaughtered without stunning. This slaughter practice is unfortunately still tolerated in many member states, including France, despite all the scientific evidence showing just how barbaric it is. Most Members of the European Parliament were shocked to learn that such methods are still used in Europe, and they called on the Commission to respond quickly and more proactively. In conclusion to the debates, Janusz Wojciechowski, chair of the Intergroup, described the situation as unacceptable. In his view, the European Commission cannot accept that the shortcomings identified by its own investigative unit can be corrected solely through training measures. He recommends launching infringement proceedings as soon as possible to improve animal welfare at the time of killing, without exception.   * Regulation (EC) No. 1099/2009 of the Council of the European Union of September 24, 2009.