The Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) is holding a free-to-attend webinar during the afternoon of Wednesday 28 April, Slaughter of Livestock – keeping it close to home.
The webinar will highlight the current decline in the network of small- to medium-sized, multi-species abattoirs and discuss how a reliable supply of locally-produced meat can be achieved practically, while maintaining and improving high standards of animal welfare. Potential solutions include the establishment of new local abattoirs and pop-up or mobile slaughter facilities, which can be relocated to meet demand. Details of recent developments of mobile slaughter units in the Netherlands will be included in the presentations.
The webinar is aimed at all interested parties, especially those associated with the rearing and marketing of home-produced meat, such as small- to medium-scale producers and smallholders.
The HSA’s Technical Director Charlie Mason said: “The consumption of sustainable and locally-produced food is being promoted by various bodies, including the Government, consequently demand is on the rise. Inevitably, the closure of slaughter facilities makes the supply of locally-produced and processed meat more difficult, compromises the provenance of the products, and leads to longer journeys to slaughter. In most cases it is likely that slaughtering animals locally will have welfare benefits, but this seminar will also examine any potential welfare risks in increasing the number of smaller, local slaughter facilities.”
The panel of speakers includes:
- Charlie Mason – HSA
- Dr Simon Doherty – MRCVS Chair of the Abattoir Sector Group
- Dr Collin Willson and Dr Jose Camara-Diaz – Defra/APHA
- John Mettrick – National Craft Butchers
- Dr Jane Guise – Fir Farm Ltd
- Dr Annika Voogt or Dr Johan Bongers – Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority
- Megan Perry – Sustainable Food Trust
The presentations will be followed by a chaired Q and A forum, during which delegates will be encouraged to share their views on the topics presented, in addition to questioning the speakers.
The webinar is free to attend, although donations to the HSA in lieu of a registration fee would be much appreciated and this option is available at the registration point. Further information, including the full programme of speakers and booking, can be found online.
