PH6: Ante-mortem Inspection and Emergency Slaughter

Question 1

Who does the ante-mortem inspection?

Answer 1

Official Veterinarian at the slaughterhouse

There are a few exceptions to this: wild game.

Question 2

What is the purpose of AMI?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

What are the limitations of an AMI?

Answer 3

Useful diagnostic information is not available

Animals spend short time in lairage

Time/cost factors prevents full investigation

Little feedback from farmers

Question 4

What are the duties of the FBO at AMI?

Answer 4

• 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)

Question 5

When can animals be removed live from the slaughterhouse?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

What is the role of the FSA at the AMI?

Answer 6

The FSA at the abattoir is the OV - they must carry out the AMI with the help of MHI (meat health inspector)

Question 7

When are AMIs carried out?

Answer 7

Must be within 24 hours of animals arriving and no more than 24 hours before slaughter

Any time the OV deems necessary

Question 8

What are the requirements for conducting a proper AMI?

Answer 8

• 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

Question 9

How is an animal that is suspect handled on the farm?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

How is an animal that is suspect handled at the abattoir?

Answer 10

• 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)

Question 11

What happens if a suspect animal is rejected?

Answer 11

If rejected, animals will be killed in the lairage on welfare grounds and dispoed of as animal by-product

Question 12

What are the three judgement outcomes of the OV on a suspect animal?

Answer 12

Pass, detain for further inspection, reject

Question 13

What happens if an animal is slaughtered without an AMI?

Answer 13

That animal will be rejected from the food chain

Question 14

What are some options for a farmer in case of a diseased or injured animal?

Answer 14

• 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

Question 15

Which animals CAN be sent to the abattoir as emergency slaughter?

Answer 15

• 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

Question 16

Define emergency.

Answer 16

A sudden serious event or situation requiring immediate action

Question 17

Define accident

Answer 17

An unpleasant event that happens unexpectedly and causes damage or injury.

Question 18

Which animals CANNOT be sent to the slaughterhouse as emergency slaughter?

Answer 18

• 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

Question 19

Define pithing. Can it be used as a method of slaughter for food animals?

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Do vets require licensing for slaughter?

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

What happens if you have an emergency slaughter without the correct certification paperwork?

Answer 21

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

Question 22

What is the time limit for transferring animals that have been slaughtered and bled to the slaughterhouse?

Answer 22

• 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)

Question 23

Can you remove the stomach and intestines from an Emergency slaughter before transport to the slaughterhouse?

Answer 23

Yes, but they must accompany the animal to the slaughterhouse and be identifies as belonging to the animal

Question 24

When does an emergency slaughter need to be tested for BSE?

Answer 24

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

Question 25

What is required from the OV for an emergency slaughter?

Answer 25

• 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

Question 26

Should emergency animals be processed with everything else?

Answer 26

It is considered best practice to process Emergency Slaughter animals separate from other carcases and at the end of the session/day.