Dutch meat producer Vion has started production at its new beef abattoir at Leeuwarden in the Netherlands.

The company intends to increase its production capacity to 2,500 heads of cattle a week with the new facility.

The €20m beef abattoir is understood to have been designed and built in accordance with the environmental as well as animal welfare standards.

Vion Beef COO Bernd Stange said: “We strive for a further improvement of shorter food production chains for the market, and in doing so focus on the themes of transparency and food safety, as well as the best quality.

“With Leeuwarden, we do not only reinforce our market position in the Dutch beef sector but also further expand our position as one of the leading beef producers in Europe.”

“We strive for a further improvement of shorter food production chains for the market.”

Vion’s Leeuwarden facility has obtained EU certification and is expected to play an important role in the company’s corporate strategy for sustainable and regional meat production.

Stange added that by starting the new abattoir in Leeuwarden, the company has made advancements in production of sustainable meat concepts such as free-range, Wadden, and organic beef.

In addition to Wadden cattle, the Leeuwarden beef abattoir is also equipped to slaughter organic cattle in order to meet the growing demand for the organically bred beef.

The Leeuwarden facility currently has a workforce of nearly 45 people.