Abstract
Information obtained from abattoirs on the causes of lung condemnation is important in preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases and for promoting food security. In this study, we assessed the causes of lung condemnation in cattle at three abattoirs represented as ANA, QTA and EBA to evaluate the financial losses associated with lung condemnation. A retrospective study (n = 51 302) involving the use of abattoir slaughter records of 2010–2012 and an active abattoir survey (n = 1374) was conducted from July to December 2013. The retrospective study revealed the main causes of lung condemnation as pneumonia (1.09%, 2.21% and 0.77%), emphysema (1.12%, 1.14% and 1.1.6%) and abscessation (0.71%, 1.06% and 0.77%), from ANA, QTA and EBA, respectively. The combined monetary loss because of lung condemnation during the period 2010 to 2012 was estimated as ZAR 85 158 (USD 7939) for the abattoirs surveyed. Conversely, during the active abattoir survey, agonal emphysema (15%, 15% and 23%) and improper eviscerations with faecal contamination (10%, 38% and 42%) were the major factors that led to lung condemnation at ANA, QTA and EBA, respectively. Other causes of lung condemnations were haemorrhage (10%) for QTA and pleurisy (12%) for EBA. The weight loss of lungs during the active abattoir survey was 6450 kg, while the associated monetary loss was estimated as ZAR 29 025 (USD 2706). This study identified major causes of lung condemnation as pleuritis, improper evisceration, pneumonia, abscesses, haemorrhages and lung worms and their associated monetary losses. The results of this study may be useful as baseline data for future comparison in similar surveys, for tracking of some zoonotic diseases affecting lungs and for further research in the Eastern Cape Province or other provinces of South Africa.
Highlights
Meat is a valuable food commodity in South Africa (Hagen-Zanker, Morgan & Meth 2011)
Over two-thirds of the 14 million cattle in South Africa are found in communal areas (National Department of Agriculture Directorate 2008) with the estimated number of cattle in the Eastern Cape (EC) being over 3.2 million (Tada, Muchenje & Dzama 2013)
A total number of 1374 cattle were slaughtered during the active meat inspection (MI) and 6450 kg of lungs were lost during this period (July – December 2013) (Table 3)
Summary
Meat is a valuable food commodity in South Africa (Hagen-Zanker, Morgan & Meth 2011). Livestock production aimed at providing meat for the population has seen the South African national cattle herd increase by about 6 million head since the 1970s and it currently numbers about 14 million (Palmer & Ainslie 2006). Over two-thirds of the 14 million cattle in South Africa are found in communal areas (National Department of Agriculture Directorate 2008) with the estimated number of cattle in the Eastern Cape (EC) being over 3.2 million (Tada, Muchenje & Dzama 2013). According to Fitzpatrick (2013), diseases are the main constraint to efficient livestock production and both endemic and exotic diseases result in mortality and morbidity and less food than should ideally be available from current farming systems
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