Abu Dhabi abattoirs ready for Eid rush

Goats are unloaded at Mina animal market in Abu Dhabi. Ravindranath K / The National

ABU DHABI // Slaughterhouses in Abu Dhabi are preparing to cope with the increase in workload over the Eid Al Fitr holidays.

The facilities in the capital and Bani Yas will operate two halls for slaughtering animals and processing meat, said Abu Dhabi Municipality.

“The capacity of Abu Dhabi slaughterhouses is high enough to meet the needs of the public all over the year and for all occasions, especially the holy month of Ramadan and the two Eids,” a spokesman said.

The municipality asked the public to perform sacrifices in the abattoirs in the emirate and to refrain from killing animals in their houses or farms. “Slaughtering in the abattoirs protects the public health and environment, combats the transmission of diseases, and the breeding of insects and rodents that cause diseases,” the spokesman said.

According to the municipality, during the first half of Ramadan, the slaughterhouses have processed more than 28,000 animals, including 13,000 lambs, 14,000 goats, 600 cows and about 300 camels.

The municipality has also disposed of slaughtered animals deemed unfit for human consumption.

During Ramadan and until the end of Eid celebrations, the slaughterhouses have increased the number of butchers, porters and vets on duty.

The working hours have also been extended to 12 hours a day, from 6am to 6pm.

The municipality also announced that a modern new slaughterhouse was being built in Al Shahama, on the outskirts of the capital and will open by the end of the year.

Throughout Ramadan and Eid, it costs Dh15 to slaughter a goat or sheep, Dh40 for a calf or young camel, and Dh60 for a cow or camel. These rates include slaughtering and chopping goats into four pieces and camels or cows into six or eight pieces.