Abu Dhabi: A modern slaughterhouse complex in Al Wathba in Abu Dhabi will open services to the public this month, the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City announced on Sunday.
A contract has been awarded for carrying out slaughtering, operation, maintenance and cleaning works at the facility, said a municipality press release.
Khalifa Al Rumaithi, Director of the Public Health Department at the municipality, said the Al Wathba slaughterhouse is the first of its kind in the region in terms of equipment and modernity. The Dh160 million facility includes a modern shopping mall comprising 20 outlets, two markets for sale of sheep and camel with 48 livestock barns.
Both markets were designed according to global standards to ensure a comfortable shopping experience for livestock market visitors. Both markets are fully air-conditioned
The modern and advanced installations and infrastructure at the complex and the health stipulations that govern the slaughtering and skinning procedures will ensure the quality of services and a sustainable environment.
Al Wathba slaughterhouse has been given the Best Slaughterhouse Award in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in 2011 in terms of equipment, modern installations and livestock barns, which meet the highest standards of animal welfare. Thus it is the second slaughterhouse in Abu Dhabi to win a global award after the Abu Dhabi Automated Slaughterhouse that received the same award in 2010.
Al Wathba Slaughterhouse is being added to the chain of municipal slaughterhouses which include Abu Dhabi Automated Slaughterhouse, Abu Dhabi Public Slaughterhouse, Shahama Slaughterhouses and Bani Yas Slaughterhouses. As part of the municipal plan to convert all manual abattoirs into modern automated slaughterhouses, work is up and running to establish Shahama Modern Slaughterhouse to serve Shahama and its neighbouring areas.
The Slaughterhouses Section is exploring the possibility of using clean energy to operate as many of its facilities as possible. It is expected to finalise the building, construction and preparation works and put the facility under investment and operation in the second half of 2014.
It is in the process of expanding and increasing the number of livestock selling barns at the Bani Yas slaughterhouse site due to the increasing demand for renting of livestock barns.
The municipality cautioned the public about the health risks of slaughtering livestock indoors, within farms or in public places.
