The activity of a Savoie slaughterhouse is suspended by the prefecture after the broadcast of a video by the L214 association with particularly unbearable images. A complaint has been filed and a judicial investigation is underway.
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 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 go “to 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-control of these procedures by the slaughterhouse.
A video filmed on site
L214 announced on Wednesday November 13 that it had filed a complaint against the Saint-Étienne-de-Cuines slaughterhouse for “acts of cruelty and mistreatment” of 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.
Here is the video with particularly shocking images.
In slaughter, the classic killing with “stunning” requires that the animals be unconscious at the time of bleeding. However, here, they present “characteristic signs of consciousness”, denounces L214.
Cut out while the legs are still moving
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 says.
L214 filed a complaint on Wednesday with the Albertville public prosecutor's office, who was not able to confirm receipt of it immediately. The Savoie prefecture confirms for its part that “a complaint was filed today by L214 against the establishment” and that a judicial investigation is “in progress”.
“Immediate closure”
The association is also asking the Minister of Agriculture, Annie Genevard, as well as the prefect of Savoie, for the “immediate closure” of this slaughterhouse.
It also requests the conduct of an internal audit in French animal slaughters to “take stock of slaughter conditions” in the territory, as well as the publication 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.
