Slaughterhouse in Zilina Currently Operating at Full Capacity

Zilina, March 24 (TASR) - The slaughterhouse in Mojsova Lucka near Zilina is currently operating at full capacity to dispose of dead or slaughtered cattle affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. Typically, the slaughterhouse processes up to 60 tonnes of raw material during a workday. "We're currently operating at maximum capacity," said VAS slaughterhouse managing director Alexandra Orcikova in an interview with TASR. "We're experiencing a higher workload. Normally, we don't collect on Saturdays and Sundays, but this past Saturday we transported two lorry loads, over 40 tonnes. On Sunday, we transported seven lorry loads, nearly 150 tonnes," she added. The transport of dead and slaughtered cattle from the infected area is carried out in sealed, stainless steel containers. "Disinfection takes place at the farm, and the spread of infection during transport is completely prevented. The vehicle arrives with a police escort. It then passes through a disinfectant pit and is unloaded in the reception hall," explained Orcikova. The slaughterhouse processing technology relies on a pressure sterilisation system, which involves recycling the raw material at 330 degrees. Orcikova explained that the end product of this process is called meat-and-bone meal, which is used in cement production, and slaughterhouse fat, which is added to biodiesel. The presence of foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed at livestock farms in three villages in southern Slovakia - Medvedov, Narad and Baka. The cattle from these farms must be culled. The culling of cattle at the Baka farm is continuing at a rate of some 300 cows per day. This number is limited by the ability of the Zilina-based facility to dispose of slaughtered animals in a safe manner. Therefore, the authorities are seeking other suitable facilities. lin/df