Investigation: The Secret Slaughterhouses of Brazil

In an effort to fight additional deregulation of Brazil’s meat business, Animal Equality is exposing what occurs inside clandestine, or ‘yard,’ slaughterhouses. Investigators not solely discovered excessive animal abuse on the time of slaughter, but additionally sanitary violations that pose a public well being threat. 

The pictures from this investigation give a glimpse right into a future the place slaughterhouses are left to control themselves underneath Brazil’s Self-Management Invoice. Almost 7 billion of Brazil’s farmed animals might be at a good better threat of cruelty with the passing of this invoice. 

The Investigation Findings 

Investigators with Animal Equality went undercover inside an unlawful, clandestine slaughterhouse to point out the situations animals face with out authorities regulation. 

View the Investigation:

Because the footage reveals:

• Cows are pressured to observe as different animals are slaughtered. They desperately attempt to escape the gorgeous pen however are unsuccessful.
• Employees forcibly hit animals within the head with sledgehammers in an effort to stun them. Some animals die, however many stay aware after a number of blows and are left to endure till their throats are slit at slaughter.
• Animals are skinned whereas aware as a result of ineffective gorgeous previous to slaughter.
• The slaughterhouse operates underneath a extreme lack of hygienic and sanitary situations with out regulation of the MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Provide). Staff reduce useless animals on the ground of the soiled facility.

Nearly 50% of meat produced in Brazil comes from clandestine facilities just like the one investigated. And because the largest meat producer on this planet, the unlawful actions and lack of sanitary situations inside these amenities pose a severe world well being threat. 

In 2022, the US alone imported meat from over 850,000 cows slaughtered in Brazil.

What This Investigation Exhibits for the Way forward for Brazil’s Farmed Animals

Final yr, the Brazillian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock launched the Self-Management Invoice, which seeks to lower authorities oversight of slaughterhouses. This lower in authorities inspectors is a good additional discount from the already 37% lower that has occurred over the past 20 years.

Animal Equality’s team joined more than 30 other organizations to mobilize towards the ‘Self-Management’ Invoice. As a part of these efforts, we launched an investigation inside three Brazilian slaughterhouses to point out how restricted oversight is already permitting for elevated animal abuse. An extra discount will solely enhance this cruelty.

Regardless of sturdy efforts, the Self-Management Invoice was nonetheless sanctioned. In response, we filed a Lawsuit of Unconstitutionality on the Federal Supreme Courtroom to repeal vital articles of the Self-Management Invoice. These efforts are being supported by dozens of different establishments.

The US is not any exception to unregulated slaughter. In 2020, the US Authorities decreased USDA (United States Division of Agriculture) oversight of slaughterhouses. With out regulation, amenities ramped up manufacturing by rising line speeds. As shown by footage captured by Animal Outlook, as line speeds elevated, so did animal cruelty. 

Inside unregulated pig and hen slaughterhouses, staff dealt with animals roughly as they labored to satisfy manufacturing calls for. Chickens had been slammed into shackles, breaking their fragile bones. Pigs had their throats slit whereas aware on manufacturing strains, whereas chickens had been discovered scalded alive.

Utilizing the proof captured by Animal Outlook, Animal Equality filed a lawsuit to fight the brand new and missing laws. We proceed to combat towards this new USDA rule that permits the business that causes huge struggling to control itself. 

How You Can Assist:

Cows, pigs, chickens and different animals are struggling significantly all over the world, and proper right here within the US, for the manufacturing of meat, dairy and eggs. These merchandise are by no means cruelty-free, and their struggling will proceed until we put an finish to their exploitation for good. 

Signal Animal Equality’s Finish Manufacturing unit Farming petition so as to add your identify to an inventory of supporters who denounce cruelty to animals:

One of the simplest ways to guard animals is to get them off our plates. Those that eat animal merchandise find yourself financing crimes corresponding to unlawful slaughter. Select a cruelty-free weight-reduction plan. Discover delicious, animal-free recipes and tips to start your vegan journey at Love Veg.