Slaughter Flashcards
Outline the role of the vet at slaughter
- Control of welfare
- Animal health
- Meat inspection
- Antemortem inspection
Give an example of environmental factors that may affect human health
Watering vegetation with animal faeces-contaminated water
What is meant by Veterinary Public Health?
The sum of all contributions to the physical, mental and social well-being of humans through an understanding and application of veterinary science
What are the roles of Official Veterinarians?
- Slaughterhouse AMI and PMI
- bTB testing
- Pet passports
- Exports
Outline the general production “flow diagram” for food animal species
Loading -> transport -> unloading -> (FCI, passport and ear tags checked) -> lairage -> slaughter
Outline the FCI requirements at slaughter
- Slaughterhouse operator must request, receive, check and act upon FCI for all cattle, sheep and goats sent for slaughter for human consumption
- FBO must not accept animals without FCI
- Receive 24 hours in advance (some exceptions)
What are the minimum elements required in an FCI?
- Animal’s health status
- Holding health status
- Details of medicines and withdrawal periods
- Private vet details (pig and poultry)
- relevant production data, diseases and analysis
What happens if an animal enters the slaughterhouse without an FCI?
Will be slaughtered but will not enter the food chain
What are specific requirements for cattle FCIs?
- Must have individual identification in form of 2 ear tags
- FCI is the minimum, extra forms are needed (passport)
What are specific requirements for sheep FCIs?
- 2 sections
- First goes to the FBO, second to DEFRA
What is included in poultry FCIs?
- Are extensive
- Includes information on mortality, vaccination, treatments
What is included in pig FCIs?
Is a combined document of the pig movement license and the Food Chain Information
What are the requirements regarding transport of animals for human consumption?
- Require transport authorisation
- Those transporting must hold Certificate of Competence
- Vehicles must be approved
- Animals must not be subject to injury or unnecessary suffering
- Regulations on journey times, resting, watering and feeding must be observed
- Cleaning and disinfection of livestock vehicles
Describe the cleaning and disinfection requirements of livestock vehicles
- Before new animals are loaded
- Inside or outside the abattoir
- Is the responsibility of the farmer and the FBO
How is FBO compliance regulated?
Verified by FSA individual (MHI or OV) and breaches are reported to local authority
What regulation applies to the transport of animals and related operations?
Council Regulation EC 1/2005
In what conditions must animals never be transported to the abattoir according to the pertinent legislation?
- Animals unable to move independently
- Animals with severe open wounds, or prolapses
- > 90% pregnant animals or given birth within 7 days
- New born animals without completely healed navel
- Pigs<3wks, lambs<1wk, calves <10 days if the journey is >100km
- Animals <7 days old
- Medicated animals where the withdrawal period is not complete
What are the requirements for the unloading of animals at the abattoir?
- Unloaded as soon as possible
- Slaughterhouse must have suitable equipment and facilities to unload animals safely
What are the requirements for unloading ramps?
- Must have slope that sits as flat as possible
- Walls or railings in place to prevent animals falling off
- Floor must be non-slip, and not have deep cracks/crevices
- No sharp edges or parts that stick out
What are the guidelines regarding animals that are dead on arrival at the abattoir?
- Must not enter the food chain
- PMI carried out
- Report to Trading Standards if the death occurred in transport
List the main legislations relating to abattoirs and slaughterhouses
- Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 2006 (WATO)
- Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act
- The Protection of Animals Act
- The Animal Health Act
- The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966
Outline the responsibilities of abattoir management
- Animal Welfare Officer appointed
- Have caring and responsible planning and management
- Appropriate environmental design
- Consider handling and transport
- Humane slaughter methods
- Take action where animal welfare is inadequate
What are some advantages of good slaughterhouse management?
- Reduction of bruising
- Improved meat quality
- Good design means animals move through system with little or no encouragement and so less stressful
How can freedom from hunger and thirst be upheld in abattoirs?
- If in lairage, provide access to clean water
- Drinking containers positioned to allow easy access, and to prevent fouling
- Fixed position of containers where practical
- Provide enough for the number of animals
- Food only provided if staying overnight
How can freedom from discomfort and extremes of temperature be upheld in abattoirs?
- Keep animal safe from potential injuries, no sudden noises, prevent escape, prevent entry of predators, allow easy inspection
- Adequate ventilation in lairage
- Field lairage must offer shelter and shade
- Need enough pens to house all animals, enough space for each animal to stand/lie and turn around
How is freedom from pain, suffering and disease upheld in abattoirs?
- AWO or someone reporting to them, must assess welfare of each animal in each consignment
- Prioritise animals for slaughter, meet welfare needs of sick animals, identify measures that need to be taken
How can freedom to express natural behaviour be upheld in abattoirs?
- Avoid isolation
- Avoid mixing of social groups
- However, is an unusual environment so will usually increase aggression
How can freedom from fear and distress be upheld in abattoirs?
- Must not frighten, excite or mistreat animals when moving
- Move each animal with care
- Only use guiding instruments on animals for short periods of time
- Avoid use of electric shock instruments
- Only move to place of killing when are ready to stun and kill immediately after
What is meant by Emergency Slaughter?
Slaughter of an animal that on AMI appears fit to enter the human food chain, where this animal cannot be transported to the abattoir due to an acute condition
What are the exclusion criteria for emergency slaughter?
- Animal with disease or condition that may be transmitted to humans or animals through handling or consumption of meat
- Animals showing signs of emaciation or systemic disease
- Animals showing excessive contamination
Is an AMI required in emergency slaughter?
Yes, in order for the animal to enter the food chain an AMI carried out by the Primary Veterinary Surgeon is required
Outline some considerations regarding the slaughter of intractable animals
- May pose danger when loading and so on farm slaughter may be suitable
- AMI carried out
- Quality of the carcass may be affected
- History important (always highly strung or sudden onset?)
- Safety of public in case of escape
What are the options for disposal of an animal where treatment is not an option or end of productive life has been reached?
- Open market (auction or direct supply contract)
- Direct to slaughter facility (farmer declaration, permitted if small localised lesion)
- Emergency on farm slaughter if transport not an option
- Fallen stock scheme where cannot be transported to slaughterhouse and not eligible for on farm slaughter
What is outlined in the EC 852/2004 regulations?
Hygiene of foodstuffs, rules for food business operators including farmers
What is outlined in the EC 853/2004 regulations?
Specific rules for food of animal origin e.g. slaughterhouse operators
What legislation applies to animal markets?
Welfare of Animals at Markets Order 1990
Outline the requirements for sale of animals at market
- Offence to present animal at market that is unfit
- Is undefined, but as in relation to an animal or bird includes infirm by virtue of being diseased, injured or fatigued
- Animals that has not completed withdrawal time for medications deemed unfit
Outline the requirements for sending an animal direct to slaughter
- Must comply with transport legislation
- Must comply with Clean Livestock Policy