RAWO, RCVD, and RICA raise awareness on animal welfare during transportation and slaughtering

On January 8, 2025, the Rwanda Animal Welfare Organization (RAWO), the Rwanda Council of Veterinary Doctors (RCVD), and the Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition, and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA) hosted an awareness campaign at the Saban slaughterhouse in Nyabugogo.

The event focused on promoting humane practices during animal transportation and slaughter to improve meat quality, uphold safety standards, and ensure the well-being of both animals and consumers.

Raising Awareness for Animal Welfare

RAWO, RCVD, and RICA urged stakeholders from farmers and transporters to slaughterhouse workers to adopt ethical practices for transporting and handling livestock. Ensuring humane treatment not only benefits the animals but also has a direct impact on the quality and safety of meat products, ultimately safeguarding public health.

Dr. Ruth Uwamahoro, Deputy Director of RAWO, emphasized the critical connection between humane transportation and meat quality.

“Transporting livestock under stressful conditions, with inadequate space or improper care, can lead to severe physical and mental harm to the animals,”
Dr. Ruth explained.

“This not only compromises animal welfare but also affects the quality of meat, which in turn impacts food safety and public health.”

The importance of humane transportation and slaughtering

RAWO and its partners highlighted that humane transportation is not only an ethical responsibility but also a vital aspect of food safety. Livestock transported under stressful conditions—such as overcrowding, poor ventilation, or long travel times—are more likely to suffer from stress, injury, or even death.

These conditions negatively affect meat quality, leading to issues like tenderness, flavor, and safety.

“Humane treatment of animals, from transport to slaughter, directly impacts the quality of meat products. Animals transported and slaughtered in a stress-free environment produce higher-quality meat that is safer for consumption,”
Dr. Ruth affirmed.

A call for compassionate practices

Kanyambo Prosper, a chief livestock trader at the Saban slaughterhouse, shared concerns about how improper handling during transport affects meat quality.

“When animals are poorly handled during transport, they arrive at the slaughterhouse stressed, and this affects the tenderness and overall quality of the meat,” Kanyambo said.

“This is why it’s essential to adopt better practices and enforce stronger regulations to protect both animals and consumers.”

The awareness campaign underscored the following measures to improve animal welfare during transportation:

Adequate space and ventilation: Transport vehicles must provide sufficient space for animals to stand comfortably and lie down. Proper ventilation is also necessary for their health and to reduce stress during transit.
Regular rest stops: Livestock should be provided with rest, water, and food during long journeys to ensure they stay healthy and hydrated.
Humane handling: transporters should be trained to handle animals gently, minimizing rough handling, stress, and injury.

Monitoring and enforcement: Regulatory bodies, such as RICA, must ensure compliance with established animal welfare standards, conducting regular inspections and applying penalties for violations.

Enhancing Meat Safety Through Traceability

Humane transportation is directly linked to traceability, an essential element in ensuring the safety and quality of meat products. Traceability allows consumers to verify the conditions in which animals were raised and transported, ensuring the meat they consume is free from harmful substances.

Félicien Ntambara, representing the Rwanda Council of Veterinary Doctors (RCVD) in the City of Kigali,

“Ensuring proper traceability reinforces consumer confidence in the safety and quality of meat. It also helps mitigate risks related to antimicrobial resistance and foodborne diseases by ensuring that animals are treated in accordance with health and welfare standards.”

He stated that it is the responsibility of veterinarians to care for animal health and oversee the proper use of medications. He added that measures should be put in place to ensure that no farmer purchases medication without a prescription from a veterinarian.

A unified effort for public health and animal well-being

RAWO, RCVD, and RICA stressed that improving animal welfare is not only an ethical issue but also crucial for public health. Humane transportation and slaughter practices help prevent the spread of diseases and ensure the safety of meat products for consumers.

Ngabonziza Jean Marie Vianney, the Inspector of Livestock Products at RICA (Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition, and Consumer Protection Authority), stated that they have a trained veterinarian dedicated to animal welfare from the animal market to the slaughterhouse and are actively strengthening this initiative.

He reiterated the importance of complying with regulations governing animal transport.

“Transporters must respect the animals’ rights, ensuring proper space and care during their journey,” he explained.
“Failure to comply with these regulations will result in penalties.”

A call to action: promoting kindness towards animals

Guaranteeing this awareness, RAWO, RCVD, and RICA are calling on all Rwandans to consider the welfare of animals.

“Let us be kind to all animals by enhancing their humane transportation, handling, and slaughter,”
said Dr. Ruth.

“By promoting their well-being and adhering to meat quality standards, we ensure not only the health of animals but also the safety and quality of the meat products reaching our tables.”

A cultural shift towards animal welfare

Dr. Ruth also noted the importance of changing how animals are viewed during transportation and slaughter.

“In the past, livestock were often seen as mere commodities for slaughter. However, with the advocacy of organizations like RAWO, RCVD, and RICA, significant progress has been made to ensure that animal rights are respected, from the farm to the slaughterhouse.”

The Role of Veterinary Associations

Félicien Ntambara, from (RCVD) in the City of Kigali, emphasized the role of veterinary professionals in ensuring animal welfare.

“Our role is to ensure that the rights of animals are respected throughout their journey. We must work together to maintain high standards in this sector and continue to monitor animal welfare to protect both animal health and meat quality.”

Dr. Ntambara also echoed the commitment to enforcing animal welfare regulations.
“It is prohibited to cause undue stress to animals during transport or slaughter, and we are committed to ensuring these standards are met every day,” he concluded.

The Rwanda Animal Welfare Organization (RAWO) is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), based in the Northern Province, Musanze district of Rwanda. RAWO has received official working permits from the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB). It comprises animal welfare enthusiasts – mainly, but not exclusively, veterinarians and public health professionals. Through its advocacy and partnerships with RCVD, RICA, and other stakeholders, RAWO aims to improve animal welfare and promote ethical practices in Rwanda’s agricultural and livestock sectors.

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