Slaughterhouses are prohibited in urban areas
In the heart of Aschaffenburg, a city in Bavaria, Germany, a significant chapter in its history unfolded concerning the local slaughterhouse. Here's a chronology of events that led to the suspension and eventual closure of the facility.
September 18th, 2023: The city council terminated the lease agreement for the Aschaffenburg slaughterhouse due to animal welfare violations. The Control Authority for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (KBLV) had initially prohibited the private operator from carrying out slaughtering activities for the same reason.
January 2025: After staff changes, training, and modifications to operating procedures and technical facilities, the KBLV allowed the slaughtering of pigs to resume from September 11th, 2023. However, problems persisted, leading to the suspension of slaughtering activities once more in March 2025.
January 2025: In a bid to find a resolution, the city and the lessee reached an agreement. The lessee was required to cease the slaughtering operations by June 30th, 2026 at the latest. The lessee, however, did not accept the termination, leading the city to file a lawsuit for eviction at the Aschaffenburg Regional Court.
July 14th, 2022: The city council decided not to provide land for a new slaughterhouse, a decision that was reaffirmed on the same date in 2022. The city does not have any building-ready land that meets the requirements for a slaughterhouse.
Opposition and Rejection: The interfractional working group consisting of CSU, SPD, and Greens expressed their opposition to the continuation of slaughtering under the current conditions. They cited reasons from a professional, economic, and strategic perspective. The city council, in a majority, sees no future for a slaughterhouse within the city limits.
Significance of the Site: The current slaughterhouse site is of particular importance for its further development, being in close proximity to the city works and the fire department. Despite this, the city has not provided land for a new slaughterhouse.
Legal Proceedings: The lessee was ordered to vacate the premises by December 31st, 2026, according to the agreement reached in January 2025. The case is currently ongoing at the Aschaffenburg Regional Court.
This marks the end of a significant chapter in Aschaffenburg's history. As the city moves forward, the future of its slaughterhouse remains uncertain.
