I think we all hope that when we leave our livestock at the Abattoir, they are treated with the compassion that we raise them. We are lucky in Essex that we have some very good abattoirs but i think it is great that a charity exists to help regulate how the animals are treated.
About The HSA
The HSA is an independent
registered charity. It is the only UK charity concerned exclusively in
promoting the humane treatment of all food animals worldwide, including
cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, fish and minority species such as deer, in
markets, during transport, and at slaughter. It works through research,
education, training and technical advances to bring real, practical and
lasting improvements in food animal welfare.
Practical, constructive, proven
The majority of the
population in many parts of the world eats meat and, despite changing
attitudes, this is likely to continue. Slaughter is never pleasant, but
it can be humane, and growing numbers of people are interested and
concerned about the welfare of the animals that provide them with food.
Significant improvements continue to be achieved by the HSA through working
constructively alongside agricultural, meat industry, veterinary and other welfare and professional organisations.
constructively alongside agricultural, meat industry, veterinary and other welfare and professional organisations.
The HSA has built an
international reputation for being a reliable, knowledgeable and
practical organisation, with a sound understanding of livestock and
livestock handling. In the 1920s it introduced the now almost universal
mandatory use of stunning equipment at slaughter, replacing primitive
and unreliable methods. Since then it has been responsible
for many of the reforms taken for granted.
for many of the reforms taken for granted.
The HSA provides: - Up-to-date technical information and advice on all aspects of animal handling, transport and slaughter.
- Training in humane methods of handling and slaughter of livestock for farmers, vets, abattoir staff and students.
- Ground-breaking educational and technical videos, CD-ROMs, DVDs, and printed publications.
- Independent advice to governments, other welfare organisations and the food industry, both in the UK and worldwide.
- Regular visits to markets and slaughterhouses recommending and advising on improvements where necessary.
- Funding for essential research projects through grants and awards. Development and application of appropriate scientific advances into the working practices of the meat industry.
- Grants towards the improvement of animal handling facilities in markets and slaughterhouses.
Together we can make a difference
The HSA relies on voluntary donations,
subscriptions and legacies. With your support it
will continue to make practical and lasting
improvements to the welfare of all food animals. To find out more about this work, contact the HSA.