The activity of a slaughterhouse in Savoie is “suspended” following the receipt of a video from the L214 association revealing “findings of non-compliance” pending an “in-depth analysis”, indicated this Wednesday, November 13, 2024 the prefecture of Savoie in a press release.
The State services responsible for applying the regulations relating to animal protection (DDETSPP 73) will visit “in the establishment as soon as possible”indicates the prefecture and “appropriate follow-ups will be implemented concerning the slaughter conditions, the documented procedures and the system of monitoring and self-monitoring of these procedures by the slaughterhouse”.
L214 announced on Wednesday November 13, 2024 that it had filed a complaint against the Saint-Étienne-de-Cuines slaughterhouse for “acts of cruelty and ill-treatment” on sheep and cows, killed within its walls. The association published a video filmed on site between August 29 and October 1, 2024 showing in particular animals whose throats were still conscious, which is contrary to the regulations in force against animal suffering, according to the association.
“Most struggle violently.”
In slaughter, the classic killing with “dizziness” requires animals to be unconscious at the time of bleeding. However, here, they present “characteristic signs of consciousness”denounces L214.
Then, once the animals are suspended, “most struggle violently”continues the association. “A primary cut with a knife follows on animals that are still alive (movements of the hind leg), although at this stage they should be dead”as also required by law, she said.
Judicial investigation in progress
L214 filed a complaint on Wednesday with the Albertville public prosecutor's office, who was not able to confirm receipt of it immediately. The prefecture of Savoie confirms for its part that“a complaint was filed today by L214 against the establishment” and that a judicial investigation is “in progress”.
The association also asks the Minister of Agriculture, Annie Genevard, as well as the prefect of Savoie, the “immediate closure” of this slaughterhouse.
It also calls for the conduct of an internal audit in French animal slaughters to “take stock of slaughter conditions” in the territory, as well as the publicity of the resulting inspection reports.
The Maurienne slaughterhouse is managed by agricultural cooperatives, breeders and butchers in the geographical proximity of the establishment, and counts among its directors Lionel Rittaud, president of the bovine inter-professional association (Interbev) in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. When contacted by AFP, the establishment did not respond.
