The Regional Director for Agriculture stated that the Regional Government supported last year 172 emergency cattle slaughters in farms located on five islands of the archipelago, thus safeguarding animal welfare and minimising farmers' losses.
“These animals could not be transported to the slaughterhouses due to their frail health conditions as result of injury or illness causing pain and suffering. Accordingly, they were euthanised in the farms where they belonged to, a procedure that complied with all legal principles, i.e., after a clinical evaluation based on the veterinarian's statement,” said José Élio Ventura.
The Regional Director also revealed that the emergency slaughters carried out last year took place in 123 farms located on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge and Flores.
“Hence, animal welfare conditions have been safeguarded in the Azores, which are increasingly relevant in society and decisive from the standpoint of communication strategy of various regional operators working with different markets,” said José Élio. Ventura
The Regional Director stated that farmers have already received financial compensation for the slaughters. The aid could reach 40 Euros if the animal is between three to seven months old or 100 Euros if it is over seven months old.
The ordinance regulating emergency slaughters in farms has been in force in the Azores since October 16, 2018. It was implemented as a result of the technical work conducted by the Veterinary Services in close coordination with producers and their representative associations.
The Regional Director for Agriculture stressed that animals slaughtered under this ordinance are not intended for public consumption.
The Regional Government remains strongly committed and working to further improve animal welfare, animal health and meat quality. In this context, it has invested 15 million Euros in the modernisation of the regional slaughter network and in its certification with the quality and food safety standards to meet the demands of markets, consumers and slaughterhouses.