Animal welfare in stables and slaughterhouses is currently a popular topic. After all, rest and well-being are crucial for the animal and the quality of the meat. An animal-friendly slaughter process entails many challenges, but with today's technology and innovation this can easily be achieved.
The meat processing process starts of course with the reception of the animals. Here plays the barn equipment an important role. A properly equipped barn results in stress-free animals and an optimal walking route for animals towards the anaesthetic. DGS, located in Haaksbergen, knows animal welfare and efficiency can be combined. The company is therefore one of the forerunners on the market when it comes to optimized food processing. By means of innovative systems and solutions, they not only ensure an easy and clear process, but also contribute to a high-quality end product.
In addition to animal welfare, the ergonomics and safety of the employees is also an important aspect. Safe walking routes, escape routes, low-noise systems, process stop buttons and locked barn doors are some easy-to-implement solutions to safety in the stable increase.
Animal-friendly anesthesia essential for quality
The welfare of the animals determines the quality of the meat. Stress and unrest causes bruising and the production of cortisol (stress hormone), among other things, which reduces the quality. It is therefore extremely important that the animal is in a restful state before and during the anaesthetic. DGS has been researching animal-friendly methods of stunning for years. "We are always busy innovating and further developing our stun cages. Zoologist Temple Grandin is a great inspiration in this. Partly thanks to her theories and way of thinking, we have this year LEH Stunningbox know how to develop. A stun cage that provides silent and electrical anesthesia and guarantees animal welfare," said Henk ter Avest, co-owner of DGS and co-developer of LEH.
William van Ampting, managing director of DGS: "Our customers are specialists in processing meat. As an OEM, we see it as our duty to ensure that the customer does this as humanely as possible. As a company, we are responsible for providing these resources. "
Innovation is everywhere
Nowadays you can no longer ignore it: innovation is everywhere. Major steps are also being made in this regard within the food industry. Automation through, among other things robots, Augmented Intelligence and vision camera techniques ensure not only an efficient, but also a clear process. Innovation is also reflected in stables and slaughterhouses. Aspects such as ergonomics, animal friendliness and hygiene in combination with efficiency are considered. This often leads to creative solutions such as a HSL chain which significantly increases hygiene in slaughterhouses. The heavy work is also increasingly taken off your hands by automating labour-intensive operations. Tracking and tracing You also see animals more and more often in various processes. Innovation is inevitable and plays an important role for the meat industry.