The effects of pre-slaughter restraint (for the purpose of cattle identification) on post-slaughter responses and carcass quality following the electrical stun/killing of cattle in a Jarvis Beef stunner

Chinokudza Mpamhanga, Stephen B Wotton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)
22 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This study compared normal post-Jarvis stun/kill responses and carcass quality with those occurring when crush restraint was not used during pre-slaughter. The carcasses of 1065 cattle slaughtered during one week at a commercial abattoir were evaluated for quality. The post-stun/kill responses of 788 of these animals were also assessed. An additional study of data from the carcasses of 6061 cattlewas further evaluated for quality findings. A significant reduction in post-stun/kill limb movement, muscle tone and the expression of brainstem functions was recorded when restraint was not used. Abolishing crush restraint pre-slaughter also produced a significant reduction in the incidence of blood splash. In addition, the study also showed that animal identification post slaughter could be successfully implemented with no negative consequences to food safety or traceability. It is suggested that abolishing the use of pre-slaughter crush restraint of cattle would enhance animal welfare and operator safety in plants whether electrical, or mechanical stunning was employed.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)104-108
Number of pages4
JournalMeat Science
Volume107
Early online date17 Apr 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2015

Bibliographical note

Date of Acceptance: 17/04/2015

Keywords

  • Animal welfare
  • Brainstem functions
  • Carcass quality cattle
  • Crush restraint
  • Electrical stunning

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