Abu Dhabi Authorities warn residents against unlicensed Eid slaughtering

UAE – As Eid Al-Adha nears, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) is stepping up its campaign to discourage residents from slaughtering animals outside approved facilities.

The authority is focusing its efforts on raising awareness about the health and safety risks of using unlicensed butchers and makeshift slaughter points, especially during the religious holiday when demand for meat increases.

Officials say that slaughtering animals in public spaces or homes increases the risk of spreading zoonotic diseases, which are transmissible between animals and humans.

In contrast, licensed abattoirs in Abu Dhabi provide controlled settings designed to prevent contamination during the slaughtering and meat-handling process.

The campaign highlights that these facilities maintain strict hygiene standards, including regular disinfection and monitored environments where carcasses are processed under clean conditions.

Each animal undergoes veterinary inspections before and after slaughter to check for visible diseases, parasitic infections, or any signs that the meat may be unsafe to eat.

Where necessary, veterinarians can order partial or complete condemnation of a carcass if it poses any health risks, ensuring only safe meat reaches consumers.

In addition to food safety checks, ADAFSA confirms that Islamic slaughtering procedures are strictly followed at licensed abattoirs across the emirate.

This includes the correct positioning of animals, the recitation of appropriate prayers, and the use of precise cutting methods that allow for full bleeding, which is essential for maintaining meat quality.

ADAFSA warns that failure to perform proper bleeding, especially in animals with high fever or incorrect cutting, can lead to poor-quality meat and pose health hazards.

The authority also outlines that only qualified and legally approved butchers are allowed to carry out slaughtering at licensed facilities, reducing risks linked to inexperience or unhygienic practices.

Moreover, modern abattoirs in the region have designated waste management systems that ensure by-products are disposed of safely, in line with biosecurity and environmental standards.

To ensure residents are informed, ADAFSA has launched a public education campaign that provides guidelines on where and how to perform religious slaughter responsibly.

This includes directing people to official slaughterhouses that comply with health regulations and can meet the high demand expected during the holiday period.

The campaign runs annually in the days leading up to Eid Al-Adha, targeting both citizens and residents across the emirate.

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