The Humane Slaughter Association held its first webinar on the 28th April 2021.

Entitled Slaughter of livestock – keeping it close to home the presentations covered why abattoirs are closing, the advantages and disadvantages of small and mobile abattoirs, practical considerations of mobile slaughter units and the challenges and opportunities for small abattoirs from the point of view of a small abattoir operator.

There was also a presentation on recent developments of mobile slaughter units in The Netherlands before a Q and A session.  

The event was well received with people commenting on an “excellent and informative session” as well as “informative lectures and discussion”. 

HSA’s Technical Director Charlie Mason said: “This was the first HSA webinar and we are very pleased at the response.  The HSA's previous one-day seminars have attracted around 100 delegates and the webinar's final attendance tally was 392, with attendees from afar afield as Australia, New Zealand and Saudi Arabia!  The six presentations were excellent and all focused on the potential benefits to animal welfare from the availability of local slaughter facilities.  I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the seven speakers for their valued contributions."

The recording of the event is now available to view.  It is free to view but, if you are able to, please consider making a donation to the HSA to enable us to continue our vital work helping to improve the welfare of livestock animals Beyond the Farm Gate. None of our work, including this webinar, would be possible without the generosity of our members and supporters.

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Programme

1500                Opening
                         Charlie Mason (HSA)

1510                An Introduction to the UK Abattoir Sector Group (ASG)
                         Dr Simon Doherty (MRCVS Chair of the Abattoir Sector Group)

1525                Small Abattoirs and Welfare
                         Dr Collin Willson and Dr Jose Camara-Diaz (FSA)

1540                The Challenges and Opportunities for Small Abattoirs in 2021
                         John Mettrick (National Craft Butchers)

1555                The Fir Farm mobile abattoir project
                         Dr Jane Guise (Fir Farm)

1610                Mobile Slaughter Unit in the Netherlands a Risk Assessment
                         Johan Bongers DVM and Annika Voogt MSc (Netherlands Food and Consumer
                         Product Safety Authority (NVWA)

1625                Why We Need Small Abattoirs for Sustainable Farming and High Welfare, Healthy Food
                         Megan Perry (Sustainable Food Trust)

1640                Break

1655                Q&A/Discussion
                         Charlie Mason (HSA)

1725                Close
                         Dr Huw Golledge (HSA)

Terms and conditions:

• Only delegates that are registered can attend the conference.
• In the event of circumstances arising beyond the charity’s control, HSA reserves the right to cancel this conference at its discretion without incurring any liability in respect of such cancellation.
• Information you share during registration for this meeting will be shared with our Webinar software provider – GoToWebinar

Contact Details:

Susan Richmond, Webinar2021 Organiser, HSA, The Old School, Brewhouse Hill, Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire, AL4 8AN, UK.

Tel: +44 (0) 1582 831919; Fax: +44 (0) 1582 831414; Website: www.hsa.org.uk; Email: susanrichmond@hsa.org.uk