Survey of slaughter plants from an animal welfare standpoint in Eastern Turkey

Turkey, a candidate for EU membership, has a large livestock sector in the east of the country with considerable numbers of slaughter animals. This survey examined welfare practices in fifteen slaughter plants located in the region surrounding five cities (Bingol, Erzurum, Elazig, Kars and Van) in eastern Turkey. Evaluation criteria were developed on the basis of minimum requirements of EU animal welfare legislation for slaughter animals (Anonymous 1979). The plants, which were designed and used for cattle and sheep slaughter, were visited and slaughter procedures observed in April 2006. The criteria and results are presented in Table 1.