Suspicion of animal cruelty - Westfleisch announces measures

The Westfleisch group of companies was shocked by pictures of sick and injured pigs and announced several measures. "The recordings also affect us," emphasized Westfleisch when asked by dpa on Wednesday. The allegations against the individual pet owners are taken very seriously and they are investigated "with all determination". The German Animal Welfare Office had shown pictures with massive grievances, which are said to come from seven Westfleisch suppliers. Six are based in North Rhine-Westphalia, one in Lower Saxony.

"Until all allegations have been finally clarified, we reserve the right to take sanctions up to and including terminating the supply contracts," emphasized the company in Münster. "For us, the well-being of the animals we keep always comes first." In principle, suppliers are checked regularly. Anyone who does not meet the quality criteria is eliminated as a supplier. "Animals unfit for transport and slaughter were and are definitely not accepted for slaughter in Westfleisch plants."

According to Westfleisch, the focus is now primarily on three steps: "Firstly, we are currently checking every affected company and carrying out extensive special monitoring." Secondly, all supplying companies should be inspected at short notice, and the status quo will be precisely documented. This is also important so that the “generally excellent work of our more than 3000 contractual partners is not discredited”. In addition, Westfleisch will expand its control network.

With several million slaughtered animals per year and billions in sales, the company is one of the largest pig slaughterers in Germany. Regarding the current allegations, Westfleisch said the veterinary authorities are monitoring the affected companies. "We do not have any information about an official ban." Several public prosecutors are investigating possible violations of the Animal Welfare Act. The recordings include pigs with open wounds or bleeding animals, sometimes dead or already decomposed pigs. According to the allegations, animals are said to have been mistreated with electric batons during transport in some cases.