Abattoir used in part for Shechitah Shut Down
ABC-TV’s Lateline broke a story last night on an abattoir near Sydney which authorities have shut down after hidden cameras had revealed alleged cruelty to animals. The abattoir in question is the source of Kosher meat in the Sydney region.
Hawkesbury Valley Meat Processors in Wilberforce has been slaughtering for both the Jewish and Muslim communities for some time. The Kashrut Authority’s Rabbi Moshe Gutnick told J-Wire: “We have made immediate contingency plans to maintain the supply of Kosher meat to the community. I understand the abattoir has taken steps to rectify matters and hopes to re-open in the not too distant future.”
The abattoir’s Glen Langley told J-Wire that he would make a statement when in a legal position to do so.
J-Wire understands that a “rat” filmed dashing across the floor of the abattoir was in fact a mechanical shackle used during the processing of the animals.
Rabbi Gutnick added that the exaggerated movements of slaughtered animals is a natural process and not cruel due to oxygen deprivation even if the animal is stunned. He told J-Wire: “The same room is used for Shechita but is thoroughly hosed down before we start.”
Hawkesbury Valley Meat Processors is not exclusively used for Kosher or Halal killing and the cruelty shown on film related to the treatment of pigs.
The ABC footage and corresponding text can be seen here
Paul Winter – the allegations as reporting in the press were about the general slaughtering at the abbatoir, not the kosher slaughter. You’d never have a case with shechitah where an animal is hit with a metal bar, which was one of the allegations. Such an action would make the animal treif.
Was a shohet present when the animals were treated inhumanely, injured and thus rendered treif?
So the sum total of your response to this horrible thing is basically – ‘don’t worry, they only did it to the pigs and they’ll be up and running again soon’? you disgust me.
Is this hearsay – where is the proof – show us the video then we can voice our objections to any and all cruelty in slaughtering cattle. We know that many muslims slaughter their cattle in the cruelest of ways – not stunning the cattle before cutting them. We would NEVER BUY HALAL MEAT.