Emergency slaughter

Question 1

True/false: it is an offence to present an animal at market that is unfit.

Answer 1

True

Under the Welfare of Animals at Market Order 1990 (referenced in the Animal Welfare Act 2006)

“Unfit” is not defined but implies ‘infirm by virtue of being diseased, injured or fatigued’ or containing residues etc.

Question 2

Examples of animals considered unfit for transport:

Answer 2

• Unable to move independently without pain or walk unaided
• Severe open wound or prolapse
• Pregnant females for whom 90%+ of expected gestational length has passed
• Blind
• Infirm (i.e. by disease, injury etc.)
• Newborn with navel that has not healed

Question 3

When might sick or injured animals be considered fit for transport?

Answer 3

• If they are “slightly ill or injured” and transport would not cause additional suffering
• They may be transported under vet supervision to the nearest place for treatment or slaughter

Question 4

What arrangements should be put in place if you are transporting mild-moderately lame animals?

Answer 4

• Single pen arrangement
• Sufficient space to lie down
• Adequate (deep) bedding
• Direct route and careful driving
• Sympathetic loading/unloading

Question 5

True/false: animals with congenital conditions are eligible for emergency slaughter.

Answer 5

False

Congenital conditions are chronic so are not eligible. They can go for fallen stock.

Question 6

Give an example of an analgesic with a 24 withdrawal when given IV and state how this might be beneficial.

Answer 6

• Ketoprofen
• This allows an animal to be treated prior to transport for slaughter
• However worth considering ethics and safety; in some countries ring-blocking a lame claw is considered acceptable but the animal may be unfit to travel if numb and unable to properly place its foot

Question 7

True/false: there is a legal obligation for vets to co-sign the farmer’s declaration when sending an injured/ill animal to be transported for slaughter.

Answer 7

False

There is no legal obligation for vets to provide written opinion that the animal is fit to travel.

However, it can be helpful to write on the farmer’s declaration “I have seen X animal on X date and in my opinion it is fit to travel XX km in XX transport with XX bedding”

Question 8

Emergency slaughter

Answer 8

Derogation within food hygiene legislation that allows for animals having suffered an accident which precludes the transport of an otherwise healthy animal from being transported […] to be slaughtered on farm.

Question 9

Accident (in terms of emergency slaughter)

Answer 9

An unforeseen on unexpected event that causes injury or damage.

Question 10

True/false: all animals for human consumption (with the exception of some game) require antemortem inspection prior to slaughter.

Answer 10

True

Question 11

Who performs the ante-mortem inspection of an animal that undergoes emergency slaughter on-farm? Where is this information recorded?

Answer 11

The private vet called out to see it

Recorded on the veterinary declaration

Question 12

True/false: slaughterhouses are obliged to accept animals that were killed by emergency slaughter.

Answer 12

False

Small FBOs tend to accept them, but larger slaughterhouses may not as it requires slowing down the line

It can be useful to set up a dialogue as the private vet to the OV at the slaughterhouse

Question 13

True/false: as long as the animal passes the ante-mortem inspection on farm prior to emergency slaughter, it is considered fit for human consumption and can enter the food chain.

Answer 13

False

A PM inspection is still required

Submission to the slaughterhouse does not guarantee entering the human food chain. The veterinary declaration at emergency slaughter is just an entry ticket.

Question 14

Considerations surrounding emergency slaughter

Answer 14

• Is it an emergency?
• Was it an accident?
• Was the animal healthy before the accident?
• Does the animal have any antemortem conditions (pyrexia, acute endometritis, medicine withdrawals) that are relevant?
• Consider the Clean Livestock Policy and remember no post-mortem cleaning of the animal is permitted

Question 15

True/false: there is a definitive list of conditions and scenarios that require emergency slaughter

Answer 15

False

Every case is individual

Judgement rests with the veterinary surgeon

You can consult the OV at the slaughterhouse

Question 16

This animal was presented at the slaughterhouse following emergency slaughter. From the history provided, it fractured its leg overnight and was slaughtered on-farm the following morning. Thoughts?

Answer 16

• The flesh around the fracture site is gangrenous
• The ends of the bones are rounded rather than sharp as expected from a recent fracture
• This injury likely occurred 4-5 days earlier than the farmer stated
• In this case the farmer was fund guilty

Question 17

When is a dystocia case unlikely to be eligible for emergency slaughter, or eligible but unlikely to enter the food chain?

Answer 17

• If the calf has been dead 24-48 hrs, the dam could be toxic
• If the dam is physically exhausted, she perhaps can be slaughtered, but is likely to be condemned due to high levels of lactate

Question 18

When should you exclude an animal from emergency slaughter, even if there has been an accident?

Answer 18

• When the animal has/shows signs of a condition that may be transmitted to animals or humans through handling/eating meat
• When the animal shows signs of systemic disease/emaciation
• When the animal shows excessive contamination (remember CLP)
• When there is no vet surgeon available in an acceptable time frame and delay would compromise welfare → slaughter immediately and send for fallen stock

Question 19

True/false: a non-downer cow emergency slaughtered e.g. for traumatic fracture can be kept in cold storage over the weekend and then undergo PM exam on Monday.

Answer 19

True

This does not apply for downer cows or animals where TSEs are a risk.

Question 20

How long could you wait to make a decision on whether a ligament had ruptured e.g. in a cow with an accidental injury?

Answer 20

• Assess at the time of injury. If fracture present, then emergency slaughter.
• If unsure re ligament damage, it is typically to reassess in the morning.
• There is no time limit in legislation, but the decision should really have been made before 24-36hrs have elapsed.

Question 21

Case scenario: an animal has escaped from the field and is running up and down a motorway. Assuming you can perform ante-mortem inspection and slaughter it safely, is it likely to be eligible for emergency slaughter to enter the food chain?

Answer 21

• No
• The animal will be stressed and will have undergone anaerobic glycolysis (leaving the meat “dark cutting”)
• If unsure, can liaise with the OV

Question 22

True/false: vet surgeons are required to have a Certificate of Competence to carry out slaughter.

Answer 22

False

Question 23

If your initial stun with a captive bolt fails, what should you do?

Answer 23

• Reload
• Reston slightly to one side

Question 24

How soon after stunning should the animal be pithed?

Answer 24

Within 30 seconds

Question 25

What safety aspects should you consider at the time of stunning and slaughter?

Answer 25

• The animal will drop rapidly - take care with restraint, holding gates
• Consider ease of access to pith the animal
• Keep others out of the way of the legs - during pithing, the animal will kick violently
• If slaughter/stunning fails - have another couple of rounds handy

Question 26

What are the signs of an effective stun?

Answer 26

• Instantaneous collapse
• No rhythmic breathing
• Fixed, glazed expression in the eyes
• No corneal reflex
• Relaxed jaw tone with the tongue hanging out of the mouth

Question 27

What should you do with the pithing cane once you have completed the process?

Answer 27

Leave in situ - this is designed to reduce TSE contamination although the risk is small

Question 28

What barbiturates are licensed for slaughtering a large animal?

Answer 28

• Pentobarbital
• Quinalbarbitone + cinchocaine

Question 29

What should you consider when using barbiturates to kill a large animal?

Answer 29

• It’s an expensive way to kill them - make the owner aware
• Check the injection technique: often need to give the first bit slowly to avoid cessation of heart activity before the drug reaches the brain
• Often difficult to get the lethal dose in before the animal loses consciousness; be prepared for the animal to drop and then continue the infusion

Question 30

A cow that undergoes emergency slaughter at 50 months old requires…

Answer 30

• BSE test
• Vertebral column removed as SRM