Hundreds of piglets and chickens left unslaughtered due to a breakdown at Ciutadella’s slaughterhouse during the Christmas season

A mechanical failure at Ciutadella’s municipal slaughterhouse has brought the slaughtering of piglets and chickens to a halt during the peak Christmas season, leaving hundreds of animals unable to be marketed at a crucial time for consumption. The incident, which occurred in the days leading up to the holidays, has caused widespread concern among local farmers and producers, who describe the situation as “a disaster” due to the severe economic impact.

According to those affected, the inability to slaughter the animals has forced deliveries to be postponed or alternative solutions to be sought outside the island, resulting in higher costs and logistical difficulties. In some cases, the delay has even raised concerns about animal welfare and the viability of small farming operations.

Ciutadella Town Council has placed responsibility on the Island Council of Menorca, criticising the lack of support and swift solutions to ensure the proper functioning of what is considered a strategic facility for the western part of the island’s primary sector. Municipal sources regret that the breakdown occurred at a time of peak activity and recall that greater investment and stricter maintenance have been demanded for years.

Meanwhile, producers have also criticised the lack of municipal foresight, claiming that the slaughterhouse did not have basic spare parts available to deal with such incidents. They warn that this failure has worsened the situation and extended its consequences, causing significant financial losses at a critical time of year. Furthermore, they caution that being unable to meet regular customer demand could have long-term repercussions, including the loss of trust and market share to products brought in from outside Menorca.