Scandal in the Augsburg slaughterhouse: Elektro leaks often inadequate!

In Augsburg there is currently concern regarding the electricity of pigs in the local slaughterhouse. Dr. Felicitas Allmann, the head of the Office for Consumer Protection and Veterinary Sex, pointed out problems that were found during routine controls. According to the regulations, a maximum of 2 % of all anesthesia with the electric pliers may be insufficient. However, the Augsburg slaughterhouse has exceeded this value several times, as the veterinary office confirmed.

Schlachthader Georg Rauch emphasized that changes and improvements in the anesthetic have already been carried out. He pointed out that the veterinary office was never satisfied with the results of the previous measures. Despite the critical situation, he found that the phrase effect of the pigs was always guaranteed when slaughtering.

background to electricity stem

The electric lust is a process that is used to anesthet animals before slaughtering. Electricity is transferred to the animal's head via pliers, which is placed in such a way that the brain lies between the electrodes. This current causes a state that is similar to an epileptic seizure within about two tenths of a second, which makes the animal temporarily sensitive. In the case of correct use, the animal is deeply stunned for about 30 to 60 seconds and feels no pain.

The method has the advantage that it reduces the number of rudder movements of the animal after the anesthetic, which increases the occupational safety of the staff. However, there are also disadvantages: misjudged animals often show no signs of consciousness, which makes it difficult to detect quickly by the slaughter personnel. In such cases, an enabled anesthesia are required. Electric leaning is primarily used for pigs and sheep, while poultry is often stunned with electricity, but mostly via a water bath.

The Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL) is responsible for the assessment of the anesthetic effect on slaughter animals and checks the functionality of the electrical engineering devices to ensure the animal welfare standards, such as lgl Bavaria reported.

Further information on the current animal welfare violations in the Augsburg slaughterhouse can be found in an article by