Lairage

Animal Welfare Officers monitor the unloading of cattle into the Lairage to ensure none are injured or sick.  They are penned by delivery batch to avoid the mixing and distress of cattle from more than one farm. 

Each animal is assessed for healthiness and hide cleanliness by the onsite Official Veterinarian before Lairage operators read and record Ear Tag numbers and passport details into the computer system.  With all details recorded the cattle are then processed into the Abattoir.

Lairage Conditions

• Bedding: provided for animals held for more than 12 hours (6 hours, if Organic).
• Water and Feeding: All pens have a constant supply of clean water. If livestock are held for more than 12 hours, they are supplied with feed. (6 hours for Organic).
• Cleaning: The Lairage is cleaned daily in accordance with current cleaning schedules.

Cattle Handling

Lairage staff are trained to the University of Bristol Animal Welfare standard to ensure that our cattle are treated well.

Cattle are processed to slaughter in the batches they were delivered in so to avoid distress.