Abu Dhabi, April 29th, 2012 (WAM) -- The Municipality of Abu Dhabi City's automated slaughterhouse has achieved "A" mark in the annual technical report on the veterinary facilities compiled by the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority spanning all slaughterhouses in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, in recognition of applying the quality standards, health stipulations and highest standards of animal welfare.

Engineer Mohammed Mahmoud Al Marzouqi, Head of Slaughterhouses Section received the Award from engineer Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Ali, Manager of Animal Products Safety Section at Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, who commended the distinguished efforts and continued cooperation between the Municipality and the Authority, particularly with regard to the health and safety of consumers and the community at large.

Acknowledging the achievement, Al Marzouqi said, "This achievement testifies the Municipality's keenness on the health & safety of the community and recognizes the municipal efforts made in adopting the highest standards of health and applying advanced criteria for monitoring the slaughtered animals in all processing phases starting from the initial preparations up to the delivery of the finished products while assigning due attention to providing services in line with the international health specifications & stipulations." Al Marzouqi reiterated the Municipality's commitment to the international standards of health and safety, saying "The Municipality of Abu Dhabi City assigns top priority to the health & safety of the community and works towards implementing the best standards of quality in all affiliated facilities & slaughterhouses including the automated slaughterhouse. The Municipality is also committed to adopting best-in-class technologies in processing, freezing and storing meat as per the highest health and safety standards and requirements."The Municipality's slaughterhouses have been accredited by international bodies specialized in safety of procedures, and received a number of awards & certificates of appreciation. For instance the Automated Slaughterhouse was the runner-up in Projects' Excellence Award in 2008, and it also bagged the HACCP certificate in 2009 in recognition of applying the highest standards of quality, ensuring procedures of safety, and using advanced resources & technologies in slaughtering livestock and handling the processed meat.

It is noteworthy that Abu Dhabi automated slaughterhouse applies a series of standards and health stipulations as regards the production lines and tools used in the slaughtering process such as stainless steel knives; which have to be in line with the international standards. Other health stipulations in place include separating the first refrigerating devices for slaughtered animals from the cold stores by installing a door made of insulating materials as per the international standards fitted with an automatic apparatus for measuring the temperature around the clock, installing sterilization devices at the entrances of slaughtering areas, and designating a special entrance to the clean area together with other 2 entrances to the dirty area fitted with ventilation exhaust air turbines installed at the slaughterhouse barns to regenerate fresh air.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2012.