To save the Alès slaughterhouse, “the only solution is to increase the tonnage”

Christophe Rivenq et Max Roustan assisteront à l'audience, ce mercredi 13 mars à Nîmes. Midi Libre – Archive ALEXIS BETHUNE

Ce mercredi 13 mars, le maire d’Alès, Max Roustan, ainsi que son premier adjoint et président d’Alès Agglo Christophe Rivenq, assisteront à l’audience du tribunal de commerce concernant l’abattoir alésien.

As chairman of the board of directors of Semaac (Mixed Economy Company of Alès Cévennes Abattoirs, which manages the structure), the mayor of Alès Max Roustan intends to defend the case in the hope of obtaining legal relief. "We are not asking for money to operate the structure, clarified this Tuesday, March 12, his first deputy Christophe Rivenq. What we're asking for is work. We hope to obtain a solution so that the slaughterhouse can continue its activity."

3,500 tonnes minimum

For the structure to return to the green, "we must guarantee at least 3,500 tonnes"&nbsp ;of meat per year, he recalls. "4,000 would be ideal." At the end of 2023, the slaughterhouse had only produced 2,900 tonnes of meat, thus widening its deficit, also weighed down last year by rising energy costs: "We got up to 600 € the Megawatt hour".

If the recovery is approved by the commercial court, this would allow the slaughterhouse to continue its activity with the objective of finding the missing additional customers. "Now, it depends on others, continues the Alesian elected official. Breeders, butchers, communities who can provide a short supply chain for school canteens. Unfortunately, our competition system does not allow you to choose the slaughterhouse you want."

Among the communities, the Gard Department is launching a new call for tenders between April and June for the purchasing group supplying meat to 25 Gard colleges. A windfall that could benefit the Alesian slaughterhouse. This group currently deals with the competitor Lozère meat.

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