Ísfugl has been granted a license to slaughter chickens on the proviso that the meat will be frozen and stored, and not sold before the ongoing vets’ strike is over.
Síld og fiskur has been granted a similar license, at the behest of the striking veterinarians’ committee on granting exemptions during the industrial action.
Sigríður Gísladóttir, from the Vet’s Association of Iceland told RÚV that in the 30 days the vets have been on strike, they have granted special permission for the slaughter of 400,000 chickens, 3,000 turkeys and 2,000 pigs; all under the promise that the meat will be frozen and stored until the strike ends. That is the equivalent to about four million meals.
Pig and poultry farmers have criticized the Association for not letting them sell their meat and leaving them without income.
The agriculture ministry has rejected the farmers’ calls for the government to intervene and force the striking vets back to work so that they can slaughter animals and sell meat.
