Humane Slaughter Research Articles

Metabolizable energy balance in hair sheep lambs artificially infected with Haemonchus contortus

In sheep, infection with Haemonchus contortus may increase the need for energy, and this demand may vary according to the infection level. In this study, the energy intake, digestibility, and energy retention of lambs artificially infected with different levels of H. contortus were estimated. A total of 24 hair sheep lambs reared parasite-free were experimentally infected with H. contortus at one of three infection levels: non-infected (n = 6); infected with 300 infective larvae (L3) of H. contortus/kg body weight (BW) (n = 9); and infected with 500 H. contortus L3/kg BW (n = 9). The lambs were fed for an individual weight gain of 100 g/day, and intake of organic matter (OMI) and gross energy (GEI), digestible (DEI) and metabolizable energy (MEI) were measured weekly. The digestibility of organic matter (OMD) and GE (GED) and the metabolizable energy (ME) balance adjusted to zero nitrogen balance (MEadj) were measured for each lamb during the prepatent and patent periods of infection. From day 21 post-infection (PI), the individual eggs per gram (EPG) of feces and the total number of eggs in feces (TEF) were estimated weekly. After humane slaughter on day 42 PI, the worm burden (WB) was determined. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to estimate the relationships between the parasitological variables (L3, EPG, TEF and WB) and the response variables (OMI, GEI, DEI, MEI, OMD, GED, MEadj). During the prepatent period, there were no significant relationships of L3 with the response variables (OMI, GEI, DEI, MEI, OMD, GED, ME, MEadj). Similarly, during the patent period, no relationship was evident between infection (EPG, TEF or WB) and OMI, GEI, DEI, GED, OMD, ME or MEadj. Thus, the gradient of H. contortus infection examined in the present study did not influence energy balance in hair sheep lambs, and infection did not impose any detectable energy cost. Further studies are needed to fully assess the impact of H. contortus infection on energy metabolism in hair sheep.

Meat consumers and Islamic scholars’ understanding of humane slaughter, and effects of pre-slaughter stunning on meat purchasing decisions in Ghana

PurposeThis paper aims to seek the understanding and opinion of meat consumers and Islamic scholars in Ghana, on preslaughter stunning of livestock, and its effects on meat patronage by consumers.Design/methodology/approachA total of 170 meat consumers and 19 Islamic Scholars were interviewed to examine their perception and levels of understanding of pre-slaughter stunning of livestock, and whether stunning had any influence on their meat purchasing decisions. Descriptive statistics and Probit regression model were used to analyse the data obtained.FindingsIt was observed that majority (94.4%) of the meat consumers had no idea on what pre-slaughter stunning of livestock entails. However, 32.7% concurred that stunning is capable of reducing the pain associated with neck cutting of slaughter animals. Evidence from the Probit analysis suggested that variables such as age, marital status, religion, source of meat, product label and Muslims’ religiosity negatively influenced the willingness to consume meat from animals stunned prior to slaughter. In contrast, variables such as gender, knowledge on stunning, beef as the preferred meat, pain reduction and knowledge on stunning, positively influenced the willingness to consume same. The level of education and knowledge on pre-stunning is associated with the acceptance of pre-slaughter stunning of livestock among Islamic ScholarsResearch limitations/implicationsEven though the study is Islamic oriented, majority of the respondents except the Islamic scholars were non-Muslims. Given this, the implications of the study have been differentiated for both Muslims and non-Muslims.Practical implicationsThe findings present an opportunity for researchers, retailers and Islamic scholars to increase education around different slaughter technologies so that consumers can understand these methods to make informed purchasing decisions. Higher educational institutions such as agriculture and veterinary schools can also use the findings to develop future modules around animal welfare. The research can also inform governments, non-governmental organisations and retailers in the formulation of future policies on animal welfare. Further research is also needed to investigate the welfare aspects of slaughter with and without stunning and how to address any lapses in animal welfare.Social implicationsFrom animal welfare standpoint, the results may be interpreted to imply that consumers’ purchasing decisions are not based on animal welfare indices. From halal perspective, it implies that Muslims are consuming products that may have been slaughtered using stunning techniques that contravene the rules of halal slaughter.Originality/valueDespite the popularity of pre-slaughter stunning and relative literature in the industrialised world, it appears to be less researched in developing countries like Ghana. Besides, there is a lack of consensus among Islamic jurists in interpreting Islamic scriptures on pre-stunning. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of studies on the reasons apart from the interpretation of Islamic scriptures, which influences Islamic scholars' stance on pre-stunning in Ghana.

Could Culling of Elephants Be Considered Inhumane and Illegal in South African Law?

Elephant culling is included in National Norms and Standards for the Management of Elephants in the Republic of South Africa, as a last-resort option to reduce elephant population size when required to meet reserve objectives. Recent judgments in South African courts have emphasised the importance of considering animal welfare in conservation. We assess the approved method of culling elephant family units, in terms of the legal and policy framework in South Africa, as well as considering elephant welfare and wellbeing. We find that the current culling method is likely to be inhumane, and potentially inconsistent with the Constitution, as interpreted by the judiciary. In addition, in certain circumstances, culling is illegal in terms of the Animals Protection and Meat Safety Acts, and contravenes World Organisation for Animal Health and global standards for the slaughter of animals. We recommend considering a moratorium on culling of elephant family units, as well as of lone bulls, until humane slaughter methods, and standard operation procedures that ensure an extremely high probability of instantaneous (“clean”) kill, are developed and approved. We recommend an ethics review process for conservation management interventions involving wellbeing risks to animals, such as is required for animal research. Notwithstanding other imperatives that need consideration, conservation practice should better balance welfare, to align with both South African legislation and global norms.

Slaughter Conditions and Slaughtering of Pregnant Cows in Southeast Nigeria: Implications to Meat Quality, Food Safety and Security.

The increase in the slaughter of pregnant cows (SPCs) for meat (except as may be approved by veterinarians on health grounds to salvage the animal) is unethical. SPCs for meat is also counterproductive, detrimental to food security, and may enhance zoonotic disease transmission. In this context, therefore, this current study examined slaughter conditions and the slaughtering of pregnant cows, and the implications for meat quality, food safety, and food security in Southeast Nigeria. The direct observational method was employed to examine the slaughterhouse activities, from when the cattle arrived at the lairage to the post-slaughter stage. A pre-tested and validated closed-ended-questionnaire was used to elicit information on causes of the SPCs and the method of disposal of eviscerated foetuses. Pregnancy status of cows slaughtered was determined by palpation followed by visual examination of the eviscerated and longitudinal incised uteri. The study lasted for six months during which 851 cows out of 1931 slaughtered cattle were surveyed. Assessment/decision-making protocol of slaughterhouse conditions, welfare conditions of slaughter-cattle, reasons for sale or slaughter of pregnant cows, distribution of pregnant cows slaughtered, method of disposal of eviscerated foetuses, and estimated economic losses of SPCs were delineated. Of the 851 cows examined, 17.4% (148/851) were pregnant while 43.2% (64/148) of the total foetuses recovered were in their third trimester. Major reasons adduced for SPCs by proportion of involved respondents were: ignorance of the animals’ pregnancy status (69.7%, 83/119), high demand for beef (61.3%, 73/119), preference for large-sized cattle (47.9%, 57/119), economic hardship (52.1%, 62/119) and diseases conditions (42.9%. 51/119). The conduct of SPCs for meat would not be profitable. This is because within six months, an estimated loss of about 44,000 kg of beef, equivalent to ₦ 70.1 million or $186,400 would be associated with SPCs and the consequential foetal wastages. If losses were to be replicated nationwide across slaughterhouses, 4.3 tons of beef estimated at ₦ 8.6 billion or $23 million would be wasted. Improving slaughter conditions and the welfare of slaughter-cattle in Nigerian slaughterhouses through advocacy, training of slaughterhouse workers, and strict implementation of laws promoting humane slaughter practices is imperative. Preventing SPCs for meat and inhumane slaughter practices at the slaughterhouse would enhance the welfare needs of slaughter cattle, grow the national herd size, and improve meat safety as well as food security.

Dietary high-oleic-acid soybean oil: Effects on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of lambs

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary high-oleic soybean oil (HOS) on the growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of lambs. Spring-born, weaned, Dorset-Suffolk wethers (n = 20; average initial BW of 41.3 kg) were fed at the Illinois State University farm. Individually housed wethers were blocked by BW in a randomized complete block design and fed 1 of 2 treatments with 10 replications per treatment for 84 d. Treatments included a corn silage–based finishing diet (control) and control + 0.5% high-oleic soybean oil. Lambs were weighed on 2 consecutive days every 14 d. Average weights were used to calculate ADG, DMI, and G:F. Following finishing, wethers were transported 463 km for humane slaughter and fabrication under USDA–Food Safety and Inspection Service inspection. Standard USDA carcass data (QG and YG) were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using the MIXED procedure of SAS to obtain least squares means. No differences were found for the growth performance measures of ADG ( P = 1.0), DMI ( P = 0.84), or G:F ( P = 0.93). No differences were found for hot carcass weight ( P = 0.941), cold carcass weight ( P = 0.889), and DP ( P = 0.931). Wethers fed HOS exhibited a decrease in a* color value of the longissimus at the 12th rib junction ( P = 0.027), with no differences in L* ( P = 0.760) or b* values ( P = 0.347). Metmyoglobin ( P = 0.917), deoxymyoglobin ( P = 0.120), or oxymyoglobin ( P = 0.077) percentage in the longissimus face at the 12th rib junction was not altered by treatment. In this study, HOS inclusion did not affect standard growth or carcass characteristics in wethers. However, further evaluation into the decreased redness value of the loin eye in HOS lambs is warranted.

Characterization of Secondary Structure of Pig Hair Fiber Using Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy

ABSTRACT Hair or bristle is one of the key by-products of humane slaughter of pigs. In the present study, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used for examining protein secondary structure of hair fiber from different breeds of pigs (Ghungroo, Ninag Megha, Hampshire, and Duroc). Prominent amide I (1635–1648 cm−1) and amide II (1517–1528 cm −1) bands could be observed in the spectra. Differences in presence/absence of certain FTIR bands between breeds suggests influence of genetic background in the structure of hair fiber. Deconvolution resolved secondary structure of protein in amide I region of spectra into corresponding α-helix (38.0 ± 2.9%), β-sheets (32.2 ± 2.0%), β-turns (19.4 ± 3.1%) and unorganized structural components (10.3 ± 2.5%). Heating of fibers from 80°C to 120°C resulted in changes in amide regions and α-helix to β-sheet ratio of amide I band. Further, correlations were calculated between area under the curve of various FTIR bands and tensile properties of the fiber. Area of FTIR band at 1635 cm −1 was positively correlated with tenacity, initial modulus, extensibility, and work of rupture (r = 0.30 to 0.39). In nutshell, the study reveals subtle differences in secondary structure of hair with respect to breed or temperature treatment and suggests relation between FTIR spectral characteristics and tensile properties.

'Unnecessary Cruelty': Freedom of Religion and the Humane Slaughter Act

The Humane Slaughter Act creates an exemption for ritual slaughter that is allegedly compelled by the Free Exercise Clause of the United States constitution. In fact, this exemption is too broad to be justified by Free Exercise concerns because it encompasses practices that are not religiously mandated. Furthermore, the exemption contravenes the Establishment Clause because it favors some religions over others and religion over non religion.

Electrical stunning in South American catfish (Rhamdia quelen) using direct current waveform: welfare and meat quality

ABSTRACT: In Brazil, humane slaughter regulation is in use since 2000; however it is not applied to fish. This paper studied parameters for electrical stunning using direct current waveform in South American catfish (Rhamdia quelen) and its subsequent effects on muscular pH and rigor mortis. Seventy fish were allocated into two groups. In group 125, fish were stunned using 125 Volts (V), 30 Hz, duty cycle of 90% and 1.3 Amp (A) applied for 30 s; in group 400, fish were stunned with 400 V, 30 Hz, duty cycle of 27%, 0.9 A, for 30 s. Unconsciousness time was determined through behavioural assessment. After slaughter, ten fish from each group were refrigerated for both measurements muscular pH and rigor mortis index (RMI) at 0, 3, 6, 24, 72 and 120 h. In 125, 14.4% (5/35) of fish were not effectively stunned, in contrast with 400 in which 100% of fish (35/35) were effectively stunned. The unconsciousness duration was higher in 400 group (87.7±16.1 s) in contrast with group 125 (66.6 ± 16.1 s). Until 6 h post mortem ninety percent of fish reached maximum rigor mortis (RMI=100%).

Head-Only Stunning of Turkeys Part 1: The Minimum Voltage Necessary to Break Down the Inherent High Resistance.

Simple SummaryPre-slaughter stunning is required for the humane slaughter of turkeys. For the head-only electrical stunning to be effective, the impedance (resistance) in the tissue of the head of the animal between the two electrodes must be overcome by the level of the voltage used. We have assessed the most appropriate voltage to effectively overcome the impedance and provide an effective stun, and that is also safe for the operator to use. Sinusoidal AC at 150 V and 50 Hz was considered to fulfil those requirements and was used for further testing.Pre-slaughter stunning is required for humane slaughter. For turkeys, head-only electrical stunning is most often used by small scale producers. To ensure immediate and effective stunning, the impedance (resistance) of the tissue of the head of the animal situated between the two electrodes needs to be overcome swiftly. The impedance is a function of the voltage and decreases non-linearly with increasing voltage. In this paper, we describe a method to assess the minimum voltage needed at which the impedance no longer decreases, that is likely to produce an effective stun. For ethical reasons, gas stunned, electrically naïve turkeys were used to measure impedance at various levels of voltage and current. Several combinations of voltage and frequency, alternate current (AC), direct current (DC) and pulsed DC, were identified that would be sufficient to achieve the maximum decrease in the impedance, and therefore would allow the highest current and the most effective stun. A minimum, expressed as Root Mean Squared voltage, of 150 V and 50 Hz. would be required in AC, 175 V in pulsed DC at 30% cycle (150 at 50% cycle), and 225 V if voltage spikes of very short duration were used. Sinusoidal AC applied at 150 V, 50 Hz was selected for further testing.

How Much Does Slaughter Harm Humanely Raised Animals?1

AbstractSome believe that it is immoral to harm animals, but it is not immoral to kill humanely raised domesticated animals. Implicit in this is the assumption that it is possible to raise and slaughter animals without harming them significantly. In recent years, a number of philosophers – DeGrazia, Harman, Bradley, and others – have claimed that slaughter harms an animal in proportion to the amount of valuable future life that an animal loses in dying, which seems to challenge this assumption. But a question remains: how much are domesticated animals, particularly humanely raised ones, harmed by their slaughter? Here, I take up this question. My answer may be surprising: in ordinary circumstances, slaughter hardly deprives humanely raised animals of any good life, and so is not very harmful to them. This result may strengthen the case for humane slaughter – or it may give us reason to revise our understanding of the harmfulness of death.

Humane slaughter of African sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus): Effects of various stunning methods on brain function

Common slaughter procedures for African sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus) include asphyxiation, ice chilling and exsanguination, which may all cause substantial suffering over prolonged periods of time before death. Therefore, comprehensive evaluations of potentially more humane slaughter procedures for this species are urgently needed. Here, we use a non-invasive electroencephalographic (EEG) method to assess the state of sensibility in African sharptooth catfish in response to various stunning methods (e.g. ice chilling, electrical stunning, electrical stunning followed by exsanguination, percussive stunning, and immersion in isoeugenol). Based on the abolition of visually evoked responses (VERs) on the EEG, ice slurry immersion induced insensibility between 2.6 and 7.6 min, during which catfish exhibited aversive behaviours. Once VERs were lost, they remained absent so long as catfish remained immersed in the ice slurry. Electrical stunning (i.e. exposure to ~1.7 A dm−2 at a water conductivity of ~997 μS cm−1) induced insensibility immediately but not irreversibly. Depending on the duration of the stun (i.e. from 1 to 10 s), catfish either regained VERs immediately or within 4.9 min after the completion of the electrical insult. However, when a 10 s electrical stun was immediately followed by exsanguination and immersion in an ice slurry, the duration of insensibility was sufficient to humanely kill catfish. When administered correctly, manual percussive stunning with a fish priest induced insensibility immediately and irreversibly. However, 36% of catfish regained VERs, which is likely explained by the difficulty associated with administering an accurate manual percussive stun of sufficient force on a live and struggling catfish. Catfish appeared to be sedated following immersion in isoeugenol (i.e. catfish were calm and easy to handle), yet VERs remained present at doses exceeding that recommended for euthanasia in salmonids, which indicates that this substance may not be suitable for stunning catfish. However, the potential for using isoeugenol as a pre-stunning sedative for improving handleability and reducing handling stress of this species warrants further investigation. In conclusion, this study clearly demonstrates that when singularly administered, none of the abovementioned stunning methods could reliably induce insensibility immediately and/or irreversibly without welfare implications. Yet, our findings indicate that these shortcomings can be resolved by using a combination of methods. This could include an electrical or percussive stun to immediately induce insensibility that should be immediately followed by exsanguination and immersion in an ice slurry to maintain insensibility until death.

Ocimum americanum and Lippia alba essential oils as anaesthetics for Nile tilapia: Induction, recovery of apparent unconsciousness and sensory analysis of fillets

In Brazil, humane slaughter regulations do not include fish, and hypothermia or immersion in ice water is used in most fish slaughterhouses for pre-slaughter handling. Such a method is not considered humanitarian as it does not induce an immediate loss of consciousness and fish show aversive behaviour when immersed in a water and ice mixture. This study aimed to assess the times for induction and recovery using Ocimum americanum and Lippia alba essential oils as anaesthetics in Nile tilapia, and their influence on the flavour and aroma of fillets. For the anaesthetic evaluation, Nile tilapia (224.05 ± 67.56 g, 22.10 ± 2.41 cm) were divided into four groups (40 fish/group): ethanol (ET), 2-phenoxyethanol (PE), Ocimum americanum (OA) and Lippia alba (LA), all at 500 μL/L. The times taken to reach total loss of equilibrium, anaesthesia and consciousness recovery were recorded using a stopwatch. Blood was collected from the caudal vein after 0, 1, 4, 8 and 24 h of anaesthesia for the analysis of glucose, lactate and cortisol. For the sensory analysis, fillets from fish exposed to essentials oils and hypothermia at pre-slaughter were evaluated by 122 untrained assessors to determine differences in the aroma and flavour attributes. The induction of deep anaesthesia (stage 4) was faster in the OA group (mean ± standard error of mean SEM) (126.8 ± 4.9 s), than the PE (152.3 ± 6.6 s) and LA groups (169.7 ± 10.9 s) (p < .01). A total of 91.7% (110/120) of the fish showed VOR (Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex) as the first behavioural response during consciousness recovery after anaesthesia. The levels of glucose (mmol/L) were similar amongst the groups at each time. The lactate levels (mmol/L) were higher at 0 h of sampling in LA (2.0 ± 0.2) than in ET (1.4 ± 0.8) (p < .05) and the cortisol levels (ng/mL) at 0 h were higher in ET (150.3 ± 55.3) than in OA (33.9 ± 9.7). Fillets prepared from Nile tilapia anesthetized using OA essential oil received higher sensory scores (1.5 ± 0.1) than fillets from both the Lippia alba (1.0 ± 0.1) and control groups (0.7 ± 0.1). OA and LA essential oils at 500 μL/L were effective in inducing deep anaesthesia with unconsciousness duration of 126 s, allowing time for bleeding. Anaesthesia with Ocimum americanum and Lippia alba essential oils may be indicated as an alternative to hypothermia for the pre-slaughter handling of fish in Brazil.

Humane Euthanasia of Guinea Pigs (Cavia porcellus) with a Penetrating Spring-Loaded Captive Bolt.

Simple SummaryVarious euthanasia methods are currently employed for guinea pigs at their experimental or humane endpoint; however, many have significant limitations or negative animal welfare implications. Captive bolt euthanasia has been used in the guinea pig meat industry but has not been explored in a research setting. This work aimed to investigate the use of a penetrating spring-loaded captive bolt gun as a refinement to guinea pig euthanasia in research. The study found that when compared to blunt force trauma, the captive bolt procedure performed well against all parameters of humane slaughter of production animals and appears to be a feasible refinement for animal welfare.Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) have been used in research since the 19th century to collect data due to their physiological similarities to humans. Today, animals perform a vital role in experiments and concerns for laboratory animal welfare are enshrined in the 3R framework of reduction, refinement and replacement. This case study explores a refinement in humane euthanasia of guinea pigs via the use of an irreversible penetrating spring-loaded captive bolt (CB). Penetrating spring-loaded CB stunning for euthanasia (CBE) was performed on 12 guinea pigs with the parameters for humane slaughter of production animals in order to assess the suitability of this method of euthanasia in contrast to blunt force trauma (BFT). All 12 of the guinea pigs were rendered immediately unconscious with excellent experimental tissue quality collection, high repeatability of results and operator (n = 8) preference over BFT. Overall, CBE in guinea pigs appears to be a feasible refinement for animal welfare, human preference and improved tissue quality for experimental collection in settings where uncontaminated tissues are required.

Is humane slaughtering of rainbow trout achieved in conventional production chains in Germany? Results of a pilot field and laboratory study

BackgroundRainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, is an important fish in European freshwater aquaculture. This industry sector is dominated by small family-owned enterprises located in rural areas. A large percentage of rainbow trout produced by these small enterprises is marketed directly and killed on demand and not processed in commercial processing plants. EU and national regulations stipulate that fish shall be stunned prior to killing and slaughter. The overall objective of this study was to monitor how stunning interventions were integrated into the production chains of German conventional trout aquaculture in order to safeguard animal welfare during stunning and killing. For this, the stunning and slaughtering processes were monitored on 18 rainbow trout farms in various German federal states. During the on-farm research, (i) the stunning success, (ii) injuries related to the stunning procedure, (iii) duration between stunning and killing, and (iv) visible responses at the time of slaughtering were assessed as welfare indicators. In addition, haematological and biochemical blood parameters were measured as indicators for physiological stress. Due to the fact that stunning interventions should induce a loss of consciousness in fish, in a laboratory study, it was examined whether the absence of the brainstem/ behavioural responses, opercular movements (OM) or eye-rolling reflex (vestibulo-ocular reflex, VOR) was correlated with the stage of insensibility.ResultsThe majority of rainbow trout farms applied manual percussion (38%) or electrical stunning (48%), while on 14% of the farms, the fish were stunned by electrical stunning which was immediately followed by manual percussion. After percussive stunning, about 92.3% of the rainbow trout displayed no OM or VOR as brainstem/ behavioural indicators of consciousness. This percentage varied on farms which applied electrical stunning. While on the majority of farms, 95 to 100% of the fish were unconscious according to the observation of brainstem/ behavioural indicators, the stunning intervention was less effective on farms where rainbow trout were stunned at current densities below 0.1 A dm2 or for a few seconds only. The laboratory study confirmed that the absence of brainstem/ behavioural indicators correlated with the absence of visually evoked responses (VER) of the brain to light stimuli as a neuronal indicator of insensibility. Therefore, the brainstem/ behavioural signs can be used to interpret the stage of insensibility in rainbow trout. A stage of insensibility could safely be induced by exposing portion-sized rainbow trout to an electric current density above 0.1 A dm2. This was not influenced by the orientation of the electric field.ConclusionsIn conventional aquaculture, rainbow trout can effectively be stunned by manual percussion or electrical stunning. Consciousness can be monitored by the absence of opercular movements or the eye-rolling reflex, which are lost approximately at the same time as neurological responses like VER. For safeguarding animal welfare during stunning and killing of rainbow trout in conventional production processes, the stunning process requires careful attention and the operating personnel need to be trained in using the stunning devices and recognising indicators of consciousness.

Is Humane Slaughter Possible?

Simple SummaryWhen looking at the welfare of farmed animals, it is important to also consider the conditions at the end of their lives. How animals are transported and slaughtered can have a large impact on their lifetime welfare. Though most work focusses on reducing the pain and suffering experienced during slaughter, we argue that to be humane, slaughter must not create any kind of harm to the animal. As death itself is harmful to welfare—due to depriving the animal of future positive experiences—slaughter can never be truly humane. Furthermore, the order in which an animal experiences positive and negative events has an impact on welfare, and since slaughter places suffering at the end of life, it is even more harmful. Although these considerations mean that no slaughter can ever be completely humane, it is still important to continue research to improve practices so that as long as it continues, harms to welfare are minimised as much as possible.One of the biggest ethical issues in animal agriculture is that of the welfare of animals at the end of their lives, during the process of slaughter. Much work in animal welfare science is focussed on finding humane ways to transport and slaughter animals, to minimise the harm done during this process. In this paper, we take a philosophical look at what it means to perform slaughter humanely, beyond simply reducing pain and suffering during the slaughter process. In particular, we will examine the issue of the harms of deprivation inflicted in ending life prematurely, as well as shape of life concerns and the ethical implications of inflicting these harms at the end of life, without the potential for future offsetting through positive experiences. We will argue that though these considerations may mean that no slaughter is in a deep sense truly ‘humane’, this should not undermine the importance of further research and development to ensure that while the practice continues, animal welfare harms are minimised as far as possible.

Animal welfare in the U.S. slaughter industry-a focus on fed cattle.

Animal welfare within the U.S. slaughter industry continues to prevail as one of the top priorities for livestock producers, businesses, and consumers alike. There are federal regulations that enforce the humane transport, handling, and slaughter of cattle. The journey that cattle must make to the slaughter facility is comprised of many environmental and human factors that can positively or negatively affect animal welfare. Cattle may be exposed to multiple stressors, such as noise, unfamiliar animals and humans, temperature extremes, temporary food/water deprivation, variable transport distances and experiences, and new pen conditions. The animal caretakers involved in these processes attempt to minimize stress and discomfort for the animals, but research is needed to focus on the gaps in knowledge and to support the implementation of strategies known to enhance the human–animal interactions that occur from farm to slaughter. This literature review will provide a summary of fed cattle welfare topics, research, and industry tools that span across the beef animal’s journey from the farm/feedlot through the slaughter process. In addition, areas that have had little research focus are identified to highlight the need for future work and development of industry tools. Some of these topics include examining trailer design, the use of trailer slats during weather extremes, the welfare aspects of cattle destined for salvage slaughter, multiple preslaughter factors and interactions, abnormal mobility and nonambulatory cattle, lairage environmental conditions, new stunning methods, and the impact of a well-trained, motivated, and stable workforce on cattle and people welfare. The authors conducted a survey at the 2019 North American Meat Institute Animal Care and Handling Conference, which comprised of stakeholders within the meat packing industry, packing plant employees, and food company employees, educators, and auditors. The survey responses identified training/education and communication as areas of need in animal welfare, whereas the majority of survey responses focused on the aspects of the human–animal interaction as the top challenges for the industry. By continuously identifying, measuring, monitoring, and managing animal welfare challenges within the beef cattle slaughter industry, prioritization and execution of programs and training that improve the welfare of cattle can be achieved as animals move through this final stage of the meat production system.

418 Student reflections after completing a meat science course

Abstract Students do not have accurate understandings nor opinions, supported with in-depth knowledge of meat science and preparation of meat animals for consumption. In 2014, Sam Houston State University conducted a quantitative student perceptions study of harvesting animals. In 2018, students reflected on their experience in the same course. Qualitatively, three major themes were gleaned from the reflection papers (n = 23); expectations of course content, its purpose; animal slaughter; and food safety/handling. Mixed opinions of course objectives were common, several expected a muscle biology/science approach with no content of muscle as food. Others did not understand why muscle contraction/muscle biology was critical and expected hand-on learning of slaughter and fabrication practices, only. After completing the course, students fully understood why the content was included. Others were unsure of actively participating in slaughter processes. Again, students changed opinions of harvesting animals and realized that social media was dramatized and provided false information. All students felt secure with participating in the slaughter process with no reservations of slaughtering animals, once they understood the regulations, observed humane slaughter procedures. Students did not have an understanding of food-borne illness, food safety and handling prior to the course, unaware of the regulations and precautions in food handling facilities to ensure a wholesome product, and unaware of the consumers role in food safety. Cross contamination, storage, proper temperatures were topics, students were uninformed and many documented how this changed their food handling habits. From a qualitative perspective, students are highly influenced by social media and have varying opinions of course objectives. Results parallel the quantitative study, and indicate actively involving students in a meat science course including muscle biology, animal slaughter, food safety and handling are essential outcomes for an animal science curriculum to provide scientific knowledge to students and provide an accurate understanding of the meat industry.

Meat Goat Performance, Carcass Traits, and Meat Characteristics of Kid Meat Goats Supplemented with Sunn Hemp or Concentrates on Pasture

ObjectivesFeed is a large input cost to a goat operation (Gillespiex et al., 2013) so the optimal time to supplement pasture grazing impacts the economic return on the feed investment. The objective of this study was to compare growth, carcass traits, and goat meat properties of weaned kid goats on pasture with access to sunn hemp followed by concentrate feed 50 d prior to slaughter or supplementation with concentrates and switching to sunn hemp 50 d prior to slaughter.Materials and MethodsSavanna (n = 23) and Savanna-Kiko (n = 14) kid meat goats from the Louisiana State University meat goat herd were ranked by weight within each breed into groups of the four heaviest goats, next four heaviest goats and continuing until all goats were assigned into four groups. The two treatments were sunn hemp and native pasture or native pasture supplemented with 16% crude protein feed daily at 3% of the average group body weight with two replications of each treatment. After 50 d, the animals were switched to the opposite treatment. Goats were weighed weekly and linear dimensions were measured prior to overnight fasting and humane slaughter at Day 100 at an average live weight of 27.2 kg. Temperature and pH of the M. Semimembranosus were measured after hide removal and 1 h, 3 h and 24 h after stunning. Carcasses were chilled overnight at 2°C before determination of carcass characteristics, the M. Longissimus dorsi area and body wall thickness at the 13th thoracic vertebrae, and L*, a*, and b* color of the M. Rectus abdominis flank muscle and M. Longissimus dorsi. Right sides were fabricated into USDA IMPS food service style cuts with an additional transverse cut between the fourth and fifth ribs. Consistent with previous experiments, M. Semimembranosus muscles were vacuum packaged and held at 4°C for 7 d before grilling on a conveyor oven to an internal temperature of 75°C. Cook yield was determined as cooked weight divided by raw weight. Three 1.27-cm cores were removed parallel to the muscle grain for Warner-Bratzler shear force. Data were analyzed with effects of treatment, breed, replication, and interactions by R-studio aov function with separation of least squares means and significance set at P &lt; 0.05.ResultsSavannah goats were heavier than Savannah-Kiko goats through the 100-d trial and finished on concentrate compared with those finished on sunn hemp, but average daily gain was not different (P &gt; 0.05) with feed or breed. The only difference among the carcass traits were dressing percentages of 50.81% with the concentrate and 48.13% with sunn hemp (P &lt; 0.05). Boneless lean yield and shear force were not different (P &gt; 0.05) with treatment or breed.ConclusionThe minor differences in results did not clearly distinguish between the supplementation methods to improve growth, carcass traits, or meat characteristics of the two types of kid meat goats.

Consumer willingness to pay for chicken welfare attributes in Kenya

This study provides new insights on consumer preferences for chicken welfare attributes in a developing country context. Further, the inclusion of chicken transportation methods as an attribute is a useful contribution to empirical literature. Choice experiment survey data from 200 chicken consumers in Kenya were analyzed using random parameter logit model. Consumers had a positive preference for use of certified transportation, humanely slaughtered chicken and welfare labeling. However, there was a negative preference for using antibiotics in chicken production. Relative to the current price of chicken meat, consumers were willing to pay a premium of 30% for use of certified transport, 72% for animal welfare labeling, 135% for humane slaughter, 236% for nonuse of growth hormones and 40% less for chicken reared in confined systems.

An Examination of the Performance of Blank Cartridges Used in Captive Bolt Devices for the Pre-Slaughter Stunning and Euthanasia of Animals.

Simple SummaryIn the United Kingdom, the main method of producing unconsciousness in cattle in abattoirs is the captive bolt device. This device comprises a piston (captive bolt) which is driven into the skull of the animal at a speed that renders it unconscious before it can perceive the impact. This speed of operation combined with unconsciousness allows for humane slaughter. The piston is driven forward either by compressed air or rapidly expanding gas from a blank cartridge, with the latter being the most common method. Blank cartridges produce gas by burning propellant and are available in a range of power (more propellant produces more gas which means more power). This paper examines variations in the performance of blank cartridges in producing sufficient velocity and therefore energy to stun animals, thereby affecting animal welfare at slaughter.Blank cartridges provide the power source for the majority of captive bolt devices used for rendering animals unconscious prior to slaughter within the United Kingdom or euthanasia worldwide. This paper presents the results of the examination of cartridges as one of the variables that can contribute to an unsuccessful application of this method in practice. Variation was found in cartridge weight, propellant fill volume and velocity within boxes of 1000 cartridges. The variation found was greater in lower charge (1.00 grain) cartridges than in 3.00 grain cartridges, however velocity was found to be variable in both sets. For example, in vivo velocity measurements with 0.25″ calibre 3.00 grain cartridges demonstrated an average velocity of 50.8 m/s over 200 shots with a range of 35.7 to 62.9 m/s when used in the same device. This work demonstrates that variation in cartridge performance does occur and can be due to various factors such as fill volume and propellant function, and simply weighing cartridges cannot be used to determine function, therefore cartridge performance must be a factor that is considered in the event of a miss-stun.