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Welfare of cattle during killing for purposes other than slaughter on‐farm killing of cattle

Authors :
Nielsen, Søren Saxmose
Alvarez, Julio
Bicout, Dominique Joseph
Calistri, Paolo
Depner, Klaus
Drewe, Julian Ashley
Garin‐Bastuji, Bruno
Gonzales Rojas, Jose Luis
Gortázar Schmidt, Christian
Herskin, Mette
Michel, Virginie
Miranda Chueca, Miguel Ángel
Roberts, Helen Clare
Sihvonen, Liisa Helena
Spoolder, Hans
Stahl, Karl
Velarde, Antonio
Viltrop, Arvo
Candiani, Denise
Van der Stede, Yves
Winckler, Christoph
Source :
EFSA Journal
Publication Year :
2020
Publisher :
John Wiley and Sons Inc., 2020.

Abstract

Cattle of different ages may have to be killed on farm for purposes other than slaughter (the latter being defined as killing for human consumption) either individually or on a large scale, e.g. for economic reasons or for disease control. The purpose of this scientific opinion is to assess the risks associated with the on‐farm killing of cattle. The processes during on‐farm killing that were assessed included handling and moving, stunning and/or killing methods (including restraint). The killing methods were grouped into mechanical and electrical methods as well as lethal injection. In total, 21 hazards compromising animal welfare were identified and characterised, most of these related to stunning and/or killing. Staff was identified as an origin for all hazards, either due to lack of appropriate skills needed to perform tasks or due to fatigue. Possible preventive and corrective measures were assessed: measures to correct hazards were identified for 19 hazards, and the staff was shown to have a crucial role in prevention. Three welfare consequences of hazards to which cattle can be exposed during on‐farm killing were identified: impeded movement, pain and fear. The welfare consequences and relevant animal‐based measures related to these were described. Outcome tables linking hazards, welfare consequences, animal‐based measures, origins of the hazards, preventive and corrective measures were developed for each process. Mitigation measures to minimise the welfare consequences are proposed.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
18314732
Volume :
18
Issue :
11
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
EFSA Journal
Accession number :
edsair.pmid..........119fbd5de4f825cd3e4337f653c3bc3e