The aim of this EIP project is to promote low stress slaughter of cattle, sheep and goats. Transport and a new environment have negative impacts on both animal welfare and meat quality. Currently, it is only allowed to slaughter cattle on the farm when they are kept on pasture all year round. In the project, possibilities for on-farm slaughtering are to be developed and coordinated with the competent authorities. Technical requirements and guidelines will be developed. A mobile stunning box and a special transport trailer are to enable immediate bleeding after stunning with captive bolt and thus avoid live cattle transports.

The members of the operational group are Dr Andrea Fink-Keßler (Die Landforscher/Office for Agricultural and Regional Development, BAR, coordination), 4 farms, one slaughterhouse, Innovative Schlachtsysteme-ISS, Handwerkliche Fleischerfachberatung (Sven Lindauer), Verband der Landwirte mit handwerklicher Fleischverarbeitung (vlhf) and the Vereinigung Hessischer Direktvermarkter (VHD). Associated partners are the University of Kassel, representatives of the veterinary authorities, the Organic Farmers' Association of Hesse, the North Hesse Organic Model Region and the Werra-Meißner District Farmers' Association.

The state of Hesse is funding the project through the European Innovation Partnership "Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability" (EIP-Agri).