ABU DHABI // Abattoirs across Abu Dhabi and the Western Region are ready to handle the increased number of animals expected during the Eid Al Fitr holidays.
Since the start of Ramadan, municipality slaughterhouses have processed more than 75,000 animals, an increase of 15.5 per cent from the same period last year.
Working hours have been extended while the number of butchers, workers and vets on duty will be increased during Eid.
Animals brought for slaughter must pass strict health and safety inspections and be deemed fit for human consumption. So far this Ramadan, abattoir staff have rejected 159 animals.
There will be no increase in fees for slaughtering services, which is Dh15 for goats and sheep, Dh40 per calf and young camels, and Dh60 per cow or camel. These prices include slaughtering and dividing goats into four pieces, while camels and cows are cut into six to eight pieces.
Officials cautioned against using “street butchers” and to bring animals only to municipality abattoirs.
“Unauthorised slaughtering outside the approved slaughterhouses is considered a major offence. Penalties and fines of Dh500 will be imposed in addition to the confiscation of slaughtered animals,” said the municipality.
Slaughterhouses in Abu Dhabi, Shahama and Baniyas will be open from 6am to 7pm, with working hours extended to 9pm on Thursday and Friday. Al Wathba abattoir will be open from 8am to 4pm during Eid.
In the Western Region, Madinat Zayed abattoir will be open from 6.30am until 5.30pm on the first day of Eid, while on the second and third days it will be open from 7.30am to 5.30pm.
Liwa slaughterhouse will open from 7am to 6.30pm and Madinat Mirfa abattoir from 7am to 7pm. Madinat Gayathi’s slaughterhouse will be open from 8am to 6pm, Sila from 8am to 1pm then from 2pm to 6pm, and Delma from 8am to 6pm.
anwar@thenational.ae
