The State condemned for lack of control after images of animal abuse in an Aveyron slaughterhouse

Lambs slaughtered without being stunned, or bled without being properly restrained, others limping then dying in stalls. In June 2020, the L214 association broadcast the shocking images shot by its activists in the Ruthenian slaughterhouse of Arsac, in Aveyron.

In the stronghold of Roquefort, the case caused a stir, leading the Minister of Agriculture at the time, Didier Guillaume, to temporarily close the slaughter line. In this case, animal defenders had decided to sue the State for having let the situation degenerate in this specialized establishment. They prevailed. The administrative court of Montpellier condemned the State to pay 3,000 euros to L214as well as 1,500 euros to cover the costs of the proceedings.

“Inadequate controls”

In his judgment, which is still subject to appeal, the court finds “a fault of the State in the insufficiency of its controls of the regulations relating to animal protection”. An inspection carried out in the slaughterhouse in 2016 by the veterinary services had noted the same “serious deficiencies” pointed out by the association in 2020. But no serious follow-up took place to ensure that corrective measures had been taken or not. The pictures show no.

In the criminal part of the case, the former manager of the slaughterhouse and two of his employees must be tried by the end of the year before the criminal court of Rodez.

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