La implementación del aspecto humano en la Empresa

1.5.1. Assessment in lairage

Lairage is a critical control point in food animal slaughter activity in terms of animal welfare. The risk factors which affect welfare in the lairage are design of the lairage which includes capacity, layout flooring, type of gates, ventilation, noise levels and resource factors such as stocking density, feeding and watering and time spent in lairage (Farm Animal Welfare Council, 2003). Scientific work on most of these risk factors is limited and ought to be carried out, if minimum specifications are to be understood (Algers et al., 2009). Research studies are needed to lay down minimum specification for different species including horses. Once minimum specifications are put in place, they can be enforced by regular inspections. Assessment of either new or existing premises should take into account the need for the capacity of the system to cope with incidents

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such as slaughter line breakdown. In Canada, welfare assessments are the responsibility of the slaughter plant and effectiveness is monitored by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) inspectors (CFIA, 2012). Apart from the resource factors, animal-based assessments such as the percentage of animals slipping; vocalization, biting and kicking frequency can also be quantified and used as a baseline for further improvement of welfare. Vocalization has been used as an assessment variable in cattle and pigs to detect welfare issues in the lairage area (Grandin, 2010a; Weeks, 2008). It can also be used in horses although scientific evidence is lacking on the validity of using vocalization as a welfare assessment variable in horses. The idea of scoring the number of slips and falls by animals at key points is a good practical method for both slaughter plant operators and enforcement officers to make an objective assessment. Grandin (2010a) indicated that more than a few percentage points of animals slipping or falling are unacceptable (Grandin, 2010a). The slaughter plant management can make sure that high standards of welfare is maintained by using these behaviours such as the number of slips and falls by animals as assessment variables and training people to look for these behaviours.

1.5.2. Assessment during stunning

Management procedures during stunning have a significant impact on the welfare of the animal intended for slaughter. Werner and Gallo (2008)‟s study on horses slaughtered in Chile showed that blood lactate concentration rises significantly during the stunning procedure, which indicates high muscle activity. This increased muscle activity could be associated with a fear response shown by horses. Assessment of slaughter activity in terms of animal welfare concerns could be performed by quantifying some variables

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which Grandin et al. (1998) used extensively in livestock other than horses. Some of the important variables Grandin (1998) used are

• Percentage of animals stunned with one captive bolt or firing shot.

• Percentage of animals slipping, falling during handling and stunning.

• Percentage of animals vocalizing during handling and stunning.

• Percentage of animals conscious on the bleeding rail.

• Amount of time spent in the stunning box.

• Amount of time taken after stunning before exsanguination.

Grandin (2010c) after studying captive bolt stunning suggested that 99% of animals should be stunned in the first attempt. Behaviour variables such as the presence of a righting reflex while on the bleeding trail and eye movements when touched after

stunning (Grandin, 2010b) provide information on inefficient stunning procedures, which have major welfare significance because the animal is still conscious in order to exhibit these signs.

To assess slaughter procedures Werner and Gallo (2008) used most of above variables elaborated by Grandin (1998) in Chilean slaughter plants where horses were slaughtered. To assess the stunning procedure; rhythmic respiration, eye movements, vocalization, head elevation and attempts to stand were used. Welfare assessment

protocols should be developed in Canadian slaughter plants to establish baseline values as currently there are no studies to reflect North American perspectives. Thereafter,

continuous improvements can be made to improve welfare.

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1.5.3. Carcass assessment

If slaughter animals are handled intensively before, during, or after transport and if they are grouped together in unfamiliar groups, this could lead to bruising of some of the carcasses (Costa et al., 2005; Costa et al., 2006; Jago et al., 1996). Bruising indicates injury to the animal during the transport and slaughter procedure and hence is a good indicator of injury along the chain of events. When the carcass is dressed, size, colour and site of every bruise could be recorded. An identification of the region where bruising is commonly occurring, could provide a clue to the risk factors associated with the bruising.

1.5.4. Slaughter-related regulations

In Canada, the Meat Inspection Act and Regulations provides protection for all species of animals slaughtered for human use in federally approved slaughter plants, including slaughter horses. At the international level, there are also other regulations to protect animals from suffering during the slaughter procedure. The European Union has directives that the European Union countries have to follow and OIE also provides additional international guidelines. There are significant differences in the regulations between European Union, OIE and Canadian regulations to protect slaughter animals from suffering (see Table 1.6) during the slaughter procedure.

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Table 1.6: Differences in regulatory guidelines regarding horse slaughter procedures between European Union, OIE and Canada.

Category European Union

goads/prods The use of instruments that be applied to the anal, genital or facial

watering Food animals for slaughter should not

No specifications Every food animal that is slaughtered

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No specifications