The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) has emphasized that animals will not be accepted in slaughterhouses without a health certificate, describing in detail the history and present diseases in animals.

This initiative comes in line with ADFCA’s keenness to avoid the spread on common diseases passed from animals to humans during and/or after slaughter, or when trading in any form.

The Authority has stressed the importance of adhering to the standards of animal welfare especially during holidays and festivals to ensure the quality of the meat. It has been recognized and especially during in the holy month of Ramadan and Eid and various festivals that the slaughter methods used have some sort of negligence towards the animal welfare, causing negative psychological and physical symptoms and hence affecting the quality of the meat.

This came during a scientific seminar organized by the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority in Al Ain, on Tuesday, entitled "Good practices in slaughterhouses and Poultry Processing" which was attended by ADFCA’s staff, veterinarians and those concerned in the matter.

The seminar involved three different parts; the 1st presented by Dr Haitham Karar on "Good hygiene practices in Poultry Processing".

He explained that 95 per cent percent of the emirates have fulfilled the Poultry Processing as required and this result was obtained based on the sample collected and survey conducted by ADFCA to ensure that all are committed to the specified standards.

He discussed the purpose of safety requirements and quality of the products to ensure public safety during all stages of the production process which involves the provision of standardized methods and commitment to methods of preparing birds in slaughter houses.

He also stressed on the importance of adhering to quality and safety programs such as "HACCP" and “ISO”, providing mechanisms to control insects and rodents in addition to complying with the biosecurity requirements, training customers and showing methods of waste disposal.

He also shared some photographs that showcased the reality of some massacres before and after ADFCA’s interference and how the slaughterhouses have remarkably improved after the applying requirements and standards set by the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority.

Dr Laura Al Sawalha, lead the second discussion entitled “Animal Welfare in slaughter houses”. She discussed the need to comply with the animal welfare before and during slaughter and the training of workers to the standards associated with it. She explained how it reduces the stress of the animal and his distress from the pain and how this helps in increasing animal productivity and the country economic benefits.

She discussed requirements needed in order to achieve the animal welfare standards and explained how when having a barn the quality, number, behavior and size of the animals should be taking into consideration.

Also the barns should ensure the public safety of animals in it and provide them with the protection needed from harsh conditions and predators.

The barns should also include enough space to provide the animal with the freedom of movement and instincts of nature. It should also provide drinking water and eating space suitable for the age and nature of the animal and in areas that prevent faucal contamination.

Dr Hamid Rajab, lead the third discussion entitled “common diseases between animals and humans," including brucellosis, fever, Salmonella and certain types of tapeworms, presenting an overview of the meat production plan, explaining key points to slaughterhouse workers on the know-how in order to ensure public safety and avoid the transmission of bacteria between animals and humans.

He also explained the signs of infection in humans, infection prevention procedures, methods of reporting in case any of the signs emerged.

He addressed livestock owners and farmers, slaughterhouse workers and the public on the importance of reporting any suspected cases of diseases common among human and animals, which can be done through forms available at veterinary clinics, hospitals as well as in slaughterhouses and veterinary laboratories. – TradeArabia News Service