Slaughter and Carcass Dressing

Question 1

Define Killing

Answer 1

killing’ means any intentionally induced process which causes the death of an animal;

Question 2

Define Animal

Answer 2

‘animal’ means any vertebrate animal, excluding reptiles and amphibians;

Question 3

Define Emergency Killing

Answer 3

‘emergency killing’ means the killing of animals which are injured or have a disease associated with severe pain or suffering and where there is no other practical possibility to alleviate this pain or suffering;

Question 4

Define stunning

Answer 4

‘stunning’ means any intentionally induced process which causes loss of consciousness and sensibility without pain,

Question 5

What activities in an abattoir require a certificate of competence?

Answer 5

• Certificate of competence required to: handle animals; stun animals; pith animals; restrain animals; shackle animals; hoist animals; bleed live animals; check stunning has worked; check pithing has worked.

Question 6

What are the aims of stunning?

Answer 6

Kill humanely;
• Obtain the maximum amount of blood from the animal - increases keeping quality;
• Health and safety.

Question 7

What can a non penetrative captive bolt be used for

Answer 7

o Non-penetrative captive bolt:

For simple stunning on cattle, sheep, goats and deer (ruminants) under 10 kg.

Question 8

Describe the physiological effects of captive bolt stunning

Answer 8

• Heavy blow = acceleration of head = brain impact (physical damage).
• Damage to nerves and blood vessels.
• Massive rise then fall in pressure.
• Disruption of normal electrical activity.
• Duration depends on severity of damage.

Question 9

Describe the three phases post captive bolt stunning

Answer 9

• Tonic phase = 10-20 seconds.
• Animal collapses.
• Stops breathing.
• Becomes rigid.
• Head extended/hind legs flexed.
• Forelegs gradually straighten out.
• Clonic phase - involuntary kicking.
• Relaxation - walking/paddling movements.

Question 10

Define electronarcosis

Answer 10

Passing an electric current through the brain so as to stun the animal

Question 11

Describe two factors that affect electronarcosis

Answer 11

Voltage
• Low voltage systems = 7 secs application
• High voltage systems = 3 secs application.
Spread
– head only = ? reversible
– head to body = cardiac arrest = irreversible

Question 12

Describe an eleptiform fit and how you would assess for stunning.

Answer 12

Epileptiform Fit - Electronarcosis
• Unconscious and insensible to pain.
• TONIC: rigid, breathing stops, head raised, hind legs flexed.
• CLONIC: gradual relaxation, walking/paddling movements, downward rotation of eyes, foaming/urination.
• RECOVERY (quiehe t) - regain consciousness.
• NO TONIC = NO STUN

Question 13

Describe the high conc CO2 stunning method

Answer 13

– The minimum concentration is 80% carbon dioxide. Exposure of conscious pigs to the gas must lead to anoxia (loss of oxygen to the brain).
– Pigs must not enter the gas stunner if the carbon dioxide concentration by volume falls below 80%.
– A pig must be conveyed to the maximum concentration of gas within 30 seconds of entering the stunner.

Question 14

Describe the CO2 and inert gasses stunning method

Answer 14

• Carbon dioxide mixed with inert gases.
– Pigs must be exposed directly or progressively to a gas mixture containing up to 40% of carbon dioxide mixed with inert gases.
– The maximum concentration is 40% carbon dioxide. Direct or progressive exposure of conscious pigs to the gas must lead to anoxia

Question 15

Describe the inert gasses stunning method

Answer 15

– Pigs must be exposed directly or progressively to an inert gas mixture such as argon or nitrogen. This exposure must lead to anoxia.

Question 16

Describe the dictation of the slaughter of animals act 1980

Answer 16

Slaughter of Animals Act 1980
“every animal slaughtered in a slaughterhouse or knackers yard shall be instantaneously slaughtered or shall be rendered insensible to pain until death supervenes and such slaughtering shall be carried out by licensed persons using a mechanically operated instrument in a proper state of repair of a type approve by the ……”

Question 17

Give three advantages of gas

Answer 17

• No excitement.
• Completely relaxed: easy bleeding.
• Intensified respiration: better bleeding.

Question 18

Give two disadvantages of gas

Answer 18

• Very expensive - only used for large throughputs
• Welfare doubts:
– Acidic gas is pungent to inhale at > 40%.
– Potent respiratory stimulant: breathlessness.
– Not instantaneous

Question 19

Describe the process of bleeding including the pint at which it is done and methods

Answer 19

Bleeding
• During tonic phase.
• Neck cut = carotids and jugulars (small ruminants).
• Thoracic stick = ascending aorta.

Question 20

List the processes that follow bleeding in the carcass dressing process

Answer 20

Bleeding 
Dehiding
Head removal
Scalding
Dehairing (pig)
Singing (Pig)
Polishing (pig)
Evisceration
Splitting
Washing
Weighing 
Deboning

Question 21

Describe singing

Answer 21

Used on Pigs

• Eliminates remaining hair on the surface of the carcass
• 1000 degrees
• Improves meat quality and food safety

Question 22

Describe polishing

Answer 22

• Improves quality
• Eliminates burned hair and superficial epidermis
• Some minor damage if excessive force used
• Increased contamination
  (only in pigs)

Question 23

Describe the EU health mark

Answer 23

EU Health Mark
• It shows that the food has been produced to the current standards of hygienic food production in licensed premises and allow food to be traced back to those premises.

Question 24

Who controls third country approval?

Answer 24

• The European Commission’s Directorate-General (DG) for Health and Food Safety: Directorate ‘Health and Food Audits and Analysis’

Question 25

What is involved in the formal request submitted for third party approval ?

Answer 25

– Type of animal/product
– Anticipated volume of trade and main importing EU countries,
– Class of animals
– Description of minimum treatment
– Number and type of establishments considered to meet EU requirements,

Question 26

Describe the process of achieving third party approval

Answer 26

2. Commission acknowledges request and sends the relevant pre-mission questionnaire.
3. National authority submits completed questionnaire.
4. Bilateral contacts between the national authorities and the Commission to resolve outstanding issues.
5. If the Commission is satisfied with the information provided, an on-the-spot inspection is (in most cases) organised by the Directorate.
6. Following completion of the Directorate inspection, a copy of its report is sent to the national authorities, the relevant Commission services, the European Parliament and the Member States.
7. Commission prepares draft legislation:
   – to add the third country to the list of third countries from which imports of the animal/product are approved;
   – to draw up if necessary animal health certification based on the country or part of the country’s health situation to accompany imports, (a number of model health certificates are already laid down in Community legislation);
   – to approve the residues monitoring programme;
   – to set up an initial list of approved establishments.
8. The proposed legislative texts are adopted by the Commission, and published in the Official Journal.
9. If an implementation date is not specified in the legislative text then it will be the date of official notification of the text by the Commission to Member States.