Abbatoir complex due to open in Abu Dhabi

The facility includes modern a shopping mall, comprising 20 outlets, two markets for sheep and camel sales with 48 livestock barns.

ABU DHABI // An abbatoir complex is due to open on the outskirts of the capital within days, it was announced yesterday.

Wathba Modern Slaughterhouse Complex is expected to start offering services to the public in the first half of this month, Abu Dhabi Municipality said.

"Wathba Slaughterhouse is the first of its kind in the region in terms of equipment and modernity," said Khalifa Al Rumaithi, the director of public health at the municipality.

"The Dh160 million facility includes a modern shopping mall comprising 20 outlets, two markets for sheep and camel sales, with 48 livestock barns.

"Both markets were designed as per the global standards out of the municipality's keenness to provide the best health stipulations and the highest standards of animal welfare, besides providing a comfortable shopping experience."

The slaughterhouse had been expected to open for Eid Al Adha last year but faced delays.

"As part of the public health division's plan aimed at converting all manual abattoirs into modern, automated slaughterhouses, work is up and running to establish Shahama Modern Slaughterhouse, serving Shahama and its neighbouring areas, as it lives up to the latest international health and environmental standards," Mr Al Rumaithi said, adding that it was expected to be up and running late next year.