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Stunning methods and slaughter of rabbits for human consumption
- Source :
- IRTA Pubpro. Open Digital Archive, Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), EFSA Journal, Vol 18, Iss 1, Pp n/a-n/a (2020), Nielsen, S S, Alvarez, J, Bicout, D J, Calistri, P, Depner, K, Drewe, J A, Garin-Bastuji, B, Rojas, J L G, Schmidt, C G, Michel, V, Chueca, M A M, Roberts, H C, Sihvonen, L H, Stahl, K, Calvo, A V, Viltrop, A, Winckler, C, Candiani, D, Fabris, C, Mosbach-Schulz, O, Van der Stede, Y & Spoolder, H 2020, ' Stunning methods and slaughter of rabbits for human consumption ', EFSA Journal, vol. 18, 5927 . https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2020.5927, EFSA Journal, Digital.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC, instname
- Publication Year :
- 2020
- Publisher :
- Wiley, 2020.
-
Abstract
- EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW).<br />This opinion on the killing of rabbits for human consumption (‘slaughtering’) responds to two mandates: one from the European Parliament (EP) and the other from the European Commission. The opinion describes stunning methods for rabbits known to the experts in the EFSA working group, which can be used in commercial practice, and which are sufficiently described in scientific and technical literature for the development of an opinion. These are electrical stunning, mechanical stunning with a penetrative and non‐penetrative captive bolt and gas stunning. The latter method is not allowed in the EU anymore following Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009, but may still be practiced elsewhere in the world. Related hazards and welfare consequences are also evaluated. To monitor stunning effectiveness as requested by the EP mandate, the opinion suggests the use of indicators for the state of consciousness, selected on the basis of their sensitivity, specificity and ease of use. Similarly, it suggests indicators to confirm animals are dead before dressing. For the European Commission mandate, slaughter processes were assessed from the arrival of rabbits in containers until their death, and grouped in three main phases: pre‐stunning (including arrival, unloading of containers from the truck, lairage, handling/removing of rabbits from containers), stunning (including restraint) and bleeding (including bleeding following stunning and bleeding during slaughter without stunning). Ten welfare consequences resulting from the hazards that rabbits can be exposed to during slaughter are identified: consciousness, animal not dead, thermal stress (heat or cold stress), prolonged thirst, prolonged hunger, restriction of movements, pain, fear, distress and respiratory distress. Welfare consequences and relevant animal‐based measures (indicators) are described. Outcome tables linking hazards, welfare consequences, indicators, origins, preventive and corrective measures are developed for each process. Mitigation measures to minimise welfare consequences are also proposed.
- Subjects :
- STRESS
COMMERCIAL RABBITS
040301 veterinary sciences
Veterinary (miscellaneous)
media_common.quotation_subject
animal welfare consequences
rabbit
STOCKING DENSITY
TP1-1185
Plant Science
010501 environmental sciences
413 Veterinary science
01 natural sciences
Microbiology
CAPTIVE BOLT
0403 veterinary science
MEAT QUALITY
Environmental health
Medicine
TX341-641
European commission
welfare indicators
Cold stress
preventive/corrective measures
0105 earth and related environmental sciences
media_common
Consumption (economics)
Nutrition. Foods and food supply
business.industry
Chemical technology
Stunning
04 agricultural and veterinary sciences
Technical literature
TRANSPORT
3. Good health
Distress
Scientific Opinion
RISK-FACTORS
Mandate
Animal Science and Zoology
Parasitology
WEIGHT
slaughter
business
hazards
Welfare
BEHAVIOR
Food Science
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 18314732
- Volume :
- 18
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- EFSA Journal
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....b63b44e447dfcc56ec252ca58fa76c01