title: 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.
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 cattle was 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.
authors.affiliation: University of Bristol, Department of Clinical and Veterinary Science, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Mpamhanga
authors.affiliation: University of Bristol, Department of Clinical and Veterinary Science, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK. Electronic address: steve.wotton@bristol.ac.uk.
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Wotton
mesh_terms: D000003:Abattoirs; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology*; D002417:Cattle; D004560:Electricity; D004597:Electroshock; D006801:Humans; D008462:Meat-Packing Industry / Q000379:methods*; D009068:Movement; D009129:Muscle Tonus; D000069466:Red Meat / Q000032:analysis* / Q000592:standards; D012149:Restraint, Physical / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological
keywords: Animal welfare; Brainstem functions; Carcass quality cattle; Crush restraint; Electrical stunning