La Seu d'Urgell Loses Slaughterhouse After 65 Years

**La Seu d'Urgell loses its slaughterhouse after 65 years of operation**

The meat processing facility Mafriseu in La Seu d'Urgell, capital of Alt Urgell, closed permanently last December following the retirement of its managers and the absence of a successor. Operating for over 65 years, the site had evolved from basic slaughter operations into a full meat industry hub, complete with maturation chambers and rooms for producing consumer-ready products like burgers, skewers, sausages and other items, all with full animal traceability.

Manager Domènec Estany had sought a buyer or successor for about a decade, approaching both local interests and external firms, but negotiations failed. "External companies found us too small and didn't meet their expectations, while locals saw us as too large," he said. The facility could handle 300 to 400 animals weekly for slaughter alone, or around 50 calves, 15 foals and 200 lambs if including further processing. Slaughter made up just 20% of operations; since the 1980s, it packaged products for large industries, expanding to retail and direct consumers by the 1990s.

Administrative assistant Victòria Roig highlighted the integrated setup, including maturation rooms with controlled temperature and humidity, allowing clients from various Pyrenean counties to select ageing periods, cuts and packaging. The plant once handled significant pig slaughter 40 years ago, later shifting toward cattle, and supported production for 130 families under the Protected Geographical Indication for Catalan Pyrenees Veal. Before closing, it processed foals, calves, lambs and pork carcasses.

Local farmers now face journeys of over 100km for similar services, some heading to Balaguer or a facility across the border in Haute Cerdagne, where costs are higher. Joan Guitart, coordinator for mountain areas at farmers' union Unió de Pagesos, called the closure a "major loss" that erodes competitiveness for small producers. Animal transport causes stress, he noted, urging authorities to revive the site—perhaps with farmers as main shareholders—and explore Andorra as a market for Pyrenean meat. He also called for a wild game collection centre amid overpopulation of deer, wild boar and roe deer, to boost economic activity and hunter returns.

Estany expressed regret over limited administrative support but remains hopeful for a revival.