PH6: Ante-mortem Inspection and Emergency Slaughter Flashcards
Who does the ante-mortem inspection?
Official Veterinarian at the slaughterhouse
There are a few exceptions to this: wild game.
What is the purpose of AMI?
To determine whether:
- There is any condition which could adversely affect human or animal health
- Animal welfare has been compromised
- Animals are correctly identified to be slaughtered for human consumption
- ID of animals suspected of substance administration
Segregate abnormal stock
- ID animals suspected of substance administration
- Id of fevered animals
- Detection of contact zoonoses
- Notifiable disease detection
Assist PMI by pinpointing areas for detailed inspection
Assist evaluation of disease
Assessment of cleanliness
What are the limitations of an AMI?
Useful diagnostic information is not available
Animals spend short time in lairage
Time/cost factors prevents full investigation
Little feedback from farmers
What are the duties of the FBO at AMI?
- Determine if animals are clean and dry enough
- ID Animals
- Relevant information from holding is accompanied with the animals (FCI, animal movement licence)
- Animals are not from areas under disease control (unless permitted by the competent authority)
- Animals are healthy
- Animals have a satisfactory welfare state
- Ensure that only live animals are accepted into the premises (unless emergency slaughter or wild game)
- If animals are dead on arrival or in the lairage, must be disposed of as animal by-product
- Time in lairage is limited (animals must be slaughtered without undue delay)
When can animals be removed live from the slaughterhouse?
This can only be done in exceptional circumstances only
- Wrong type of slaughterhouse
- Dirty animal
Vets must grant a licence for any movement back to the farm of origin
NO PIG CAN LEAVE A SLAUGHTERHOUSE ALIVE
What is the role of the FSA at the AMI?
The FSA at the abattoir is the OV - they must carry out the AMI with the help of MHI (meat health inspector)
When are AMIs carried out?
Must be within 24 hours of animals arriving and no more than 24 hours before slaughter
Any time the OV deems necessary
What are the requirements for conducting a proper AMI?
- Adequate lighting
- Adequate space
- Adequate access
- Crush (not legal requirement)
- Co-operative lairage staff
- Isolation pen that is separate drainage and avoids contamination of other animals
- Kit: stethoscope, thermometer, torch, dark coat and green wellies
How is an animal that is suspect handled on the farm?
An animal known or suspected to be injured or showing signs of abnormality at the farm should be accompanied by a farmer’s declaration (included in the FCI)
The farmer must ensure that:
- the animal is fit to travel
- food safety is not compromised
How is an animal that is suspect handled at the abattoir?
- OV defers slaughter of suspect animals
- Animal must undergo a detailed clinical examination to determine if it is fit for human consumption
- The FBO must hold animals in isolation pending final OV decision
- the animal is to have rest before slaughtered if under stress (usually no more than 24 hours)
What happens if a suspect animal is rejected?
If rejected, animals will be killed in the lairage on welfare grounds and dispoed of as animal by-product
What are the three judgement outcomes of the OV on a suspect animal?
Pass, detain for further inspection, reject
What happens if an animal is slaughtered without an AMI?
That animal will be rejected from the food chain
What are some options for a farmer in case of a diseased or injured animal?
- Veterinary treatment
- If animal fit to be transported must be sent to the slaughterhouse (with a note on FCI)
- If animal not fit to be transported, it could be considered Emergency Slaughter and transport the body to the abattoir for processing
- Kill and dispose of as fallen stock
Which animals CAN be sent to the abattoir as emergency slaughter?
- An otherwise healthy animal that has suffered an accident that prevented its transport for welfare reasons. (must be within 24 hours from accident)
- Fractious animals
- Water buffalo and Bison (anatomy prevents stunning methods
Define emergency.
A sudden serious event or situation requiring immediate action
Define accident
An unpleasant event that happens unexpectedly and causes damage or injury.
Which animals CANNOT be sent to the slaughterhouse as emergency slaughter?
- Animals suffering from a chronic and/or metabolic condition
- Animals that, following vet exam, are unfit for human consumption
- Animals with drug withdrawal period not respected or treated with illegal drugs or horses treated with BUTE
- Cattle born in the UK (or imported) before 1 Aug 96
Define pithing. Can it be used as a method of slaughter for food animals?
Using metal or hard plastic stick into the shooting wound into the head to destroy the brain, spinal cord, and brainstem.
Pithing is not allowed for animals going for human consumption
Do vets require licensing for slaughter?
There is no requirement to have a certificate of competence to carry out emergency slaughter, provided the animal has to be slaughtered or killed immediately for welfare reasons.
What happens if you have an emergency slaughter without the correct certification paperwork?
Bodies of emergency slaughter animals without the correct certification are not accepted under any circumstances, at a slaughterhouse for processing for human consumption. The carcase will be rejected as unfit for human consumption
What is the time limit for transferring animals that have been slaughtered and bled to the slaughterhouse?
- Slaughtered and bled animals must be transported to the slaughterhouse hygienically and without delay.
- If the time between slaughtering and arrival at the slaughterhouse is more than two hours, then the carcass must be refrigerated (because bacteria will migrate out from the rumen)
Can you remove the stomach and intestines from an Emergency slaughter before transport to the slaughterhouse?
Yes, but they must accompany the animal to the slaughterhouse and be identifies as belonging to the animal
When does an emergency slaughter need to be tested for BSE?
Any bovine animal over 48 months of age sent as emergency slaughter requires its brain stem to be sampled in order to be tested for BSE
What is required from the OV for an emergency slaughter?
- PMI is to be carried out by the OV
- The OV can request any additional tests if required
- If no serious lesions, other than those due to the accident, are found, then the carcase can be passed fit for human consumption
Should emergency animals be processed with everything else?
It is considered best practice to process Emergency Slaughter animals separate from other carcases and at the end of the session/day.
