Vion suspends activities at Leeuwarden abattoir
Activities at Vion's beef abattoir in Leeuwarden will temporarily be suspended due to certain experiences in the new abattoir over the past few months, announced the company in a press release published on May 25.
The company has ascertained that a few small details need to be improved at the beef abattoir, which was designed using the latest insights. The past few months have been used productively, to identify and investigate the ‘teething problems’ that can occur in a new and advanced beef abattoir such as that in Leeuwarden.
"We see a higher number of carcasses that have been rejected compared to other beef abattoirs while we use the same process.
We are working with The Netherlands food and consumer product safety authority (NVWA) to find out why. Meantime, we will do small revisions in the system as this is a new facility of ours that we can optimise", declared for EuroMeatNews Nancy Aschman, Vion N.V. Group Communication Director. Local sources mentioned that the percent of carcasses rejected at Leeuwarden abattoir is almost three times higher than the average one set in other abattoirs in the country.
In order to solve these issues completely, Vion has decided to use the coming period to make a few technical modifications and that requires to halt the operation in the facility for an undetermined period of time.
"In addition to technical improvements, Vion has ascertained that the inspection results paint a different picture to those at other abattoirs in the Netherlands. The coming period will also be used to clarify the reason for this difference", informs the press release.
Also, the company is in touch with Dutch Food and Consumer Goods Authority (NVWA) on the subject.
The investment in the Leeuwarden abattoir was about 20 million euros according to a press release from February. "Vion regrets the developments in Leeuwarden and the effect they will have on its suppliers in the northern provinces and employees but sees no other option than temporary closure", specified the representatives of the company.
The location was fitted with a viewing gallery to make the process as transparent as possible for visitors. It was the first company in the Netherlands to show the process to livestock farmers, students, journalists, government officials and other interested parties.
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