AN ABATTOIR FOR THE CAPITAL Because the existing one is 'Bloody Offal'

Abstract

Every day in Pakistan, almost 17 sheep, 14 goats and 10 cattle are slaughtered per minute for the purpose of consumption, which sums up to an estimate of 10 million animals slaughtered per month. This is a considerably high figure which keeps on increasing annually as the population grows. According to a survey conducted by APMEPA (All Pakistan Meat Exporters and Processors Association), 70% percent of our country's slaughtering practices take place on the streets, 29% in slaughterhouses and only 1% in export slaughterhouses. Highest percentage of slaughtering occurs on the streets, outside butcher shops, homes, and empty plots which result in countless cases of animal psychological and physical abuse, environmental degradation, unhygienic meat for consumption and wastage of animal by-products which can prove to be beneficial for various industries and the country's economy. Street slaughtering by amateur butchers, not only mistreat the animals but as a result of this maltreatment, the anguished animal ends up hurting the amateur butcher and spectators nearby as well. Furthermore, the remnants of the deceased animals are disposed off either on the streets or garbage disposal areas, where they are left to decay, which becomes a deadly hazard for our environment. These remains if properly procured, can prove to be quite beneficial for our environment as well as the economy. The environmental degradation takes a toll especially on the residents of the streets where the slaughtering takes place, who deal with uncomfortable odors and clogged drains for a long time. The aim of this project is to design a slaughterhouse with modern facilities to cater slaughtering of animals in a humane environment, produce high quality hygienic meat all year long, suitable for export purposes and daily consumption while lowering the environmental impact by adapting sustainable methods. 6