Approximately one-third of the public slaughterhouses that received subsidies under France's "France Relance" economic recovery plan have closed shortly after renovation work was completed. The plan, which allocated 130 million euros to modernize these facilities, aimed to meet stricter health and environmental standards while maintaining a local network of slaughterhouses to support nearby farmers. However, the reality has fallen far short of the plan’s goals. Of the 80 public slaughterhouses still in operation, over 55 suffer from chronic financial losses, and 90% process less than 5,000 tons of meat annually—far below the level needed for economic sustainability. The Court of Auditors has called for a reevaluation of how these slaughterhouses are managed, suggesting that mobile slaughter units might be a more viable option than relying solely on local authorities. The financial watchdog points to the failure of the modernization plan, which was intended to revitalize the sector but instead led to a significant gap between policy and implementation. A notable example is the AIM slaughterhouse in Val-Couesnon, which received 1.6 million euros in subsidies in 2021, including an advance of 832,000 euros. Despite this funding, no modernization work was completed, and the facility eventually closed after its slaughter permit was suspended. The decline of the public slaughterhouse sector is long-standing. In 1989, France had 114 public slaughterhouses, but today only 80 remain. These remaining facilities now account for just 7% of the country’s meat production, despite receiving substantial public funding. The Court of Auditors highlights that nearly 90% of these facilities handle less than 5,000 tons annually, and more than half of them are unable to cover their operating costs. The Ambert slaughterhouse in the Puy-de-Dôme exemplifies this trend: its annual output dropped from over 1,000 tons in 2018 to less than 100 tons by 2022, illustrating the sector's struggle to find a viable market. The impact of this decline extends beyond financial concerns. Local slaughterhouses serve an important role for nearby farmers by reducing the need for long-distance transport and supporting local food systems. Their disappearance weakens these local agricultural networks. Despite the financial and human resources devoted to maintaining these facilities—such as the 230 civil servants employed by the Ministry of Agriculture to oversee sanitary controls—the closures continue. The Court of Auditors argues that local authorities are not well-equipped to manage these facilities economically and suggests involving more industry stakeholders in their governance. It also proposes expanding mobile slaughter units, a strategy that could reduce infrastructure costs while maintaining local ties. Ultimately, the situation reveals a broader issue: public funds are being allocated without proper assessments of their long-term viability, in regions where meat production is steadily declining.