Vion to continue activities in Leeuwarden’s beef abattoir

Dutch meat producer Vion is set to reopen its beef abattoir in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, with activities set to begin from 10 September.

In May, Vion announced the temporary suspension of all activities at the abattoir due to certain experiences in the new abattoir.

Over the past three months, Vion and the Dutch Food and Consumer Goods Authority (NVWA) have evaluated the inspection process.

The company noted that it has now addressed the ‘teething troubles’ that can occur in a new abattoir, and also improved several technical details of the beef abattoir.

As per the original design, the stable facilitated live inspection of the cows using solid portions, but now the solid portion has been replaced with fencing in order to provide a better view of the animals to the veterinary inspector.

By implementing improvements in the line, Vion made the inspection process and the registration of inspection data efficient.

Vion’s Leeuwarden beef abattoir is said to be one of the key players in sales of beef from the dairy supply chain in the north of the Netherlands.

The Leeuwarden abattoir was inaugurated this year and includes a viewing gallery to make the process inside the abattoir fully visible for visitors.

With this initiative, Vion has become the first Dutch company to make the process fully transparent for livestock farmers, students, journalists, government officials, and other interested parties.

The company also noted that it has incorporated all the latest insights regarding animal welfare and hygiene into the design of the abattoir.