In 2006, VION Helmond was the first European pig slaughterhouse to introduce the ‘chain inspection’, with an eye to raising food safety levels even higher and safeguarding human health. Now, the chain inspection has become obligatory for all pigs that are covered by the Dutch IKB scheme, and that are processed in slaughterhouses, i.e. including sows for slaughter.

Instead of assessing the animals at the slaughter line (the traditional inspection), VION makes use of chain information which is complemented by laboratory studies. The chain information comes from all the different links, from the farm to the slaughterhouse. One day before the pigs are delivered, pig farmers provide all kinds of information about their pigs, such as information on any medication given, the name of their feed supplier or suppliers, and information about any defects found in the animal house.

Better food safety guarantees

Following the chain from the farm to the slaughterhouse gives a better picture of the animals’ health than traditional inspections did. Making incisions into, and feeling the lymphatic glands of pigs, is no longer necessary. And this reduces the risk of cross-contaminating the meat with salmonella.

The chain inspection is more efficient and less intensive than the traditional working method. The inspection has been tested in collaboration with several Dutch ministries, the Dutch Food & Consumer Product Safety Authority and VION.

To support this approach, VION applies the information that is obtained through Farmingnet. Pig farmers can optimise their management by means of an analysis of their technical and financial results.