Lecture to students, SOCRATES / ERASMUS /INTERNATIONAL COURSE 2003, ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH INTRODUCTION

1. Ethics of slaughter procedures Leopoldo Estol USAL Argentina

8. Transport to slaughter has the potential to cause distress and suffering

9. - Lairage (holding before slaughter) During lairage, animals may be mixed with unfamiliar animals and this may result in fighting. They may have food withheld and may not be provided with bedding.

14. Mechanisms for achieving an immediate stun Captive bolt stunning Transfer of energy via the skull, caused by a penetrating ‘bolt’, creates a wave of shock energy through the nervous tissue of the brain and the first part of the spinal cord. The penetration of the bolt may also cause irreversible damage to the frontal cortex and midbrain which helps to ensure the animal does not recover. If applied correctly, the captive bolt can induce insensibility within 150 ms

16. Captive bolt stunning position for cattle The intersection point of two imaginary lines from the top of the eye, to the base of the horn buds

17. Captive bolt stunning position for sheep and goats without horns Place the captive bolt weapon at the highest point on the top of the head and aim toward the angle of the jaw

18. Captive bolt positioning for horned sheep or goats Place the captive bolt just behind the ridge that joins the base of the horns and aim toward the mouth

19. Mechanisms for achieving an immediate stun Percussive stunning Transfer of energy through the bones of the skull without penetrating the bone, creates a wave of shock energy through the nervous tissue of the brain and the first part of the spinal cord. If applied correctly, this method induces insensibility within 150 ms

21. Percussive stunning position for cattle Some religious slaughter requires the use of a non- penetrating stunning method. The head of the ‘knocker’ is placed at the intersection point of two imaginary lines from the top of the eye, to the base of the horn buds.

23. Mechanisms for achieving an immediate stun (3) Electrical stunning Electricity can act to induce uncoordinated electrical activity (epileptiform activity) in the brain which renders the animal unconscious If this epileptiform activity can be induced in a time less than 400ms, then the animal does not feel the application of the stun

24. Electrical stunning position for sheep and goats Either side of the head between the eye and the ear

25. Electrical stunning position for pigs Either side of the head below the ears

34. Bibliography Humane Slaughter Association – ‘Taking responsibility’ HSA, The Old School, Brewhouse Hill, Wheathampstead, Herts, AL4 8AN, UK www. awtraining .com - Site for training in welfare aspects of slaughter The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995, UK WSPA Reports The Facts About our Food – Animal Transpor, Pigs. Chicken Fraser A F & Broom D M ‘Farm Animal Behaviour and Welfare’ CABI Publishing ISBN 0 85198 787 7 Grandin T ‘Livestock Handling and Transport’ CABI Publishing ISBN 0 85199 409 1