66 Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of livestock

The electrodes should be in good repair and not corroded.

They should be cleaned daily. The operator should be competent to
ensure correct positioning and good contact of the electrodes.
Passage of electric current through the brain is facilitated by cutting
the hair over the site or wetting the electrodes. If the whole face or
body is wet, the current may short-circuit the brain.

Failure of the operator to apply the apparatus to the correct

spot on the head may not produce unconsciousness, resulting in a
condition known as missed shock or “the Nightmare State of Leduc”.
The animal becomes paralysed and unable to vocalise but remains
fully conscious. The simplest commercially available electrical
stunning units must have a transformer or other electric circuits that
will deliver the recommended minimum amperage and voltage
required inducing insensibility.

Unfortunately in many developing countries, homemade

devices for electrical immobilisation are still being used. These may
be simple wires attached to the animal or homemade tongs but
without transformers to achieve the correct current parameters (Fig.
70). Home made stunners plugged directly into the mains are painful
to the animals and very dangerous to the operator, as there may be
exposed wires.

Generally, electrical stunning of cattle or other large species

may result in excessive haemorrhages or spinal fractures due to large
muscle spasms. This will be particularly so if unsophisticated
technology is used. New Zealand and some other countries have
developed modern methods for electrical stunning of cattle to
overcome these problems, in particular for beef exports to some
Muslim countries or for installation in slaughterhouses in Muslim
countries where this method is acceptable (Fig. 62, 63). The New
Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of livestock 67

Zealand technique is ‘the Ranguiru System4 or Wairoa Process5’ and

is a head-only stun.

Fig. 62 Fig. 63
Fig. 62 and 63: Electric stunning of cattle for large-scale
slaughtering. Device is started through remote control once
animal has entered stunning box.

4
The Ranguiru system is a modified electrical stun, which is applied to
Western-type cattle slaughter, where the animal is stunned through the
brain and the heart stop beating. It is not accepted as Halal by Muslims.
5
The Wairoa process is a slaughter technique developed in New
Zealand, which involves an electrical head-only stunning. This renders
the animal insensitive to pain but able to recover if the slaughter cut is
not made. The heart remains beating. The system is humane, safe for
workers and generally accepted as Halal by Muslims.
68 Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of livestock

Carbon dioxide gas stunning (Fig. 64, 65)

The use of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas is a relatively new

method of stunning suitable for pigs and poultry. However, it is
applicable only at large industrial plants, as the sophisticated
technical equipment is relatively costly to install. Basically, animals
are stunned using various concentrations of CO2 in air.
Concentrations of CO2 for the stunning of pigs are at least 80% in air
for 45 seconds and poultry of 65% for 15 seconds. The acceptability
of this method on welfare grounds has been questioned however.
For some genetic types of pigs, it may be satisfactory, and for others
may be stressful.

Currently Argon gas is being tested for stunning purposes. It

is assumed that Argon gas may have some advantages over CO2, but
the costs may be higher.

Malpractice in immobilization of livestock

The aim of rendering slaughter animals unconscious prior to

bleeding is in good slaughterhouse practice achieved by using
captive bolt pistols, electrical tongs or CO2-gas. For the
immobilization of bovines and pigs a blow to the skull with a large-
sized hammer used to be a wide-spread method and is still being
practised, in particular in developing countries. The method requires
only manual force, no maintenance of equipment or spares as
cartridges, and is therefore cheap (Fig. 66).

A blow with the hammer is certainly preferable to no pre-

stunning, but it requires a skilled operator. Very often additional
blows are needed, if the animal was not hit properly. The hammer
method is prone to a high failure rate and should be replaced
wherever possible by one of the above-mentioned stunning methods.
Particular malpractice can be observed in pig slaughter, when a
Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of livestock 69

(d)

(a)

(b)
(c)

Fig. 64: Schematic view of CO2 stunning of pigs.

In a discontinuous process the animals enter the CO2 tunnel
(a), are lowered into the pit with high CO2 concentration
where they fall unconscious (b), are lifted up again (c) and
expelled from the tunnel (d).

Fig. 65:
Runway and
entrance to a
CO2-tunnel
70 Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of livestock

Fig. 66: Pre-

stunning of
buffalo through
blow with a
hammer

number of pigs are driven into a stunning pen and indiscriminately

treated with hammer blows. Because they move around, many
animals are not hit efficiently; they need additional blows or arrive
fully conscious at bleeding (Fig. 66, 67).

In many places in the developing world, immobilization of

large ruminants (cattle, buffalo) is still carried out through the use of
a sharp, pointed knife sometimes called a puntilla or Spanish pike
(Fig. 68, 69). The knife is used to sever the spinal cord through the
space (Foramen magnum) between the skull and neck position of the
backbone. Upon inserting the knife and severing the spinal cord, the
animal will collapse. It remains immobilized and the operators have
easy access; however, the animals remain conscious until bleeding is
complete. This practice should be discontinued, as it is not humane.

An equally inhumane method of immobilization of large

animals involves severing the Achilles’ tendons, which lead to the
collapse of the animal. This practice can in particular be observed in
camel slaughterhouses. In camel slaughtering it can also be
observed that the animals are immobilized by bending the joints of
the fore- and hind legs through tying thin wires around. This forces
the animals into a painful sitting position. They may be kept like this
for many hours before they are slaughtered.
Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of livestock 71

Malpractice can also be observed in the use of electricity for

stunning purposes. Electrical tongs can certainly be fabricated
through local engineering work in developing countries, but it is
essential that the electrical parameters required for efficient and
humane stunning be achieved. Stunning tongs without transformers,
using the voltage of the mains not only cause a great deal of
suffering but also produce inferior meat quality (Fig. 70).

Absolutely unacceptable are practices using electrical wires

attached to the limbs and necks of the animals and inflicting an
electrical shock on the animal through connecting to the mains
current. Similarly, devices resembling mains-current operated
prodders (Fig. 7) but using high voltage, which are utilised for
“stunning” of cattle, are inhumane. Moreover, they spoil the meat
and damage the skins.

One tormenting method of immobilizing pigs is practised in

some Asian countries. Pigs, when moving them from the farms to
the slaughterhouses, are forced into crates made of steel bars. These
crates can accommodate one pig but do practically not allow any
movements upon arrival at the abattoir; the crates are piled one on
top of each other. Pigs are kept waiting inside the crate for hours
without water and ventilation. Finally the bleeding without stunning
is carried out with the pig still in this position (Fig. 71).
72 Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of livestock

Fig. 67:
Group of pigs
knocked down
by hammer blow
and being
hoisted for
bleeding Some

Fig. 68 and 69:

Puntilla for
immobilization
of large
livestock
Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of livestock 73

Fig. 70: Makeshift

electric stunning
tongs

Fig. 71:
Bleeding of
pigs in crates
by using a
74 Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of livestock

Religious or ritual slaughter (Halal and Kosher)

Most developed and many developing countries of the world

require by law an animal to be rendered unconscious before it is
slaughtered. This is in order to ensure that the animal does not suffer
pain during slaughter. However, exceptions are made for the Jewish
(Kosher) and Muslim (Halal) slaughter of livestock. Here stunning
generally is not allowed and the animal is bled directly using a sharp
knife to cut the throat and sever the main blood vessels. This results
in sudden and massive loss of blood with loss of consciousness and
death. However, many authorities consider that religious slaughter
can be very unsatisfactory and that the animal may not be rendered
unconscious and suffer considerable discomfort and pain in the
slaughter process.

A number of factors must be given serious consideration

before this type of slaughter is acceptable: -

1. Animals that are slaughtered according to Kosher or

Halal requirements should be securely restrained, particularly the
head and neck, before cutting the throat. Movement results in a poor
cut, bad bleeding, slow loss of consciousness (if at all) and pain.
This has serious implications for animal welfare. The knife that is
used to cut the throat and the carotid and jugular blood vessels must
be razor sharp and without blemishes and damage. This is to ensure
a swift, smooth cut across the throat behind the jaw and to ensure
immediate and maximum gush of blood. Poor bleeding causes slow
loss of consciousness and reduces meat quality.

2. Animals should not be shackled and hoisted before

bleeding. This causes them severe discomfort and stress. Hoisting
should be done only after the animal has lost consciousness
Restraining equipment should be comfortable for the animal.
Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of livestock 75

3. Operator competence is of great importance in order

to carry out satisfactory religious slaughter, and the authorities
should license all slaughter personnel. A poor technique will result
in great suffering and cruelty to the animal. Religious slaughter
should be carried out paying attention to detail and ensuring the
method, equipment and operators are correct. The slaughter process
is slow.

The captive bolt gun is suitable for this stunning when using
the mushroom shaped head of the bolt (Fig. 55). The mushroom gun
is an improvement on the plain bolt, as this bolt does not penetrate
the brain and cause death. This should be more acceptable to the
religious authorities, and its use would encourage more humane
slaughter amongst Muslims in developing countries, thereby
improving animal welfare.

Fortunately, many Muslim authorities accept some forms of

pre-slaughter stunning. Many Muslim authorities permit electric
stunning of cattle, sheep and poultry, whose meat is destined for
Muslim communities, because the animals subjected to this stunning
method would recover if no bleeding was carried out. Electric
stunning is also the method of choice in meat exporting countries
where stunning of slaughter animals is required by law, for export to
Muslim countries. Similarly, Muslim minorities in countries with
stringent animal welfare regulations are allowed to use Halal
slaughter methods, but in combination with electrical stunning.

Any kind of prestunning for livestock to be slaughtered

according to the Jewish Kosher method has not yet been accepted.
76 Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of livestock

Bleeding

Bleeding is the part of the slaughter process where the main

blood vessels of the neck are severed in order to allow blood to drain
from the carcass, resulting in the death of the animal from cerebral
anoxia. The bleeding knife should continuously be sharpened. A
blunt knife will prolong the incision and the cut ends of the blood
vessels will be damaged. This may cause premature clotting and
blockage of the vessels, delaying bleeding out and prolonging the
onset of unconsciousness and insensitivity. Incisions should be swift
and precise. In poultry, sheep, goats and ostriches, the throat is cut
behind the jaw (Figs. 72, 73, 74).

Fig. 72: Incision for bleeding of poultry (ducks)

Animals are immobilized and unconscious as they passed
through the water bath for automatic electrical stunning.
Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of livestock 77

Fig. 73: Incision

for bleeding sheep

Fig. 74: Incision for

bleeding ostriches
78 Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of livestock

The standard method for the bleeding of cattle is to open the

skin at the neck between brisket and jaw through a 30-cm
longitudinal cut. Then, for hygienic reasons, a clean knife should be
used and inserted at a 45{ angle (Fig. 75) in order to sever the jugular
and carotid vessels.

In pigs, a longitudinal bleeding stick is made into the chest to

sever the deep vessels (Fig. 76).

For all cuts, the jugular and carotid vessels should be

completely severed. If all vessels are not cut, bleeding may be
incomplete, causing excessive retention of blood in the tissue, which
can result in early spoilage of meat.

A minimum of delay is required between stunning and

bleeding for two reasons:

a. A prolonged delay in bleeding may result in a level of

consciousness being regained particularly where animals
have been stunned electrically. For example, poultry
stunned electrically may regain consciousness within 1-3
minutes. Generally, bleeding of poultry should
commence within 15 seconds of stunning. For other
livestock, the interval between stunning and
sticking/bleeding should also be kept very short. Periods
of less than one minute are desirable (Fig. 77).

b. Delayed bleeding will result in an increase of blood

pressure, and blood vessels will rupture, causing muscle
haemorrhage. This extra blood in the tissue will cause
the meat to decompose more quickly, resulting in waste
of meat.
Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of livestock 79

Fig. 75: Incision Fig. 76: Incision

for bleeding cattle for bleeding pigs

Fig. 77: Good arrangement for stunning and

immediate bleeding of pigs at medium-sized
80 Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of livestock

Determining insensibility at slaughter

It is important to be able to determine if an animal has

become insensible after stunning, as the bleeding and dressing
operations must not begin until complete stunning has been
achieved.

When cattle, sheep, goats and pigs are stunned using a

captive bolt, the animal should collapse immediately. Regular
breathing should cease. There should be no corneal or blink reflex,
if the eye is touched. These signs of insensibility should be looked
for before bleeding commences, usually when the carcass is hanging
on the bleeding rail.

In electrically stunned sheep, goats, pigs and ostriches, a

“grand mal”6 seizure is induced which causes instant
unconsciousness. This results in rigid spasms, which can last for up
to 30 seconds. The animal should not be evaluated for insensibility
until at least 30 seconds after electrical stunning. At no time after
stunning should the animal vocalise (squeal, moo or bellow).
Vocalising is a sign that the animal can still feel pain. It is normal to
have leg-kicking reflexes in an animal that has been properly stunned
with electricity, captive bolt or gunshot. If the animal has kicking
reflexes, the head should flop like a rag doll. If it makes an attempt
to raise its head, it may still be sensible. An animal showing a
righting reflex must immediately be re-stunned.

The person assessing insensibility should concentrate on

looking at the head and ignore kicking limbs. Gasping is

6
A “grand mal” seizure is a severe form of epilepsy characterized by
paroxysmal transient disturbances of the electrical activity of the
brain. This results in periodic recurrent convulsions of the body or
“epileptic fit”.
Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of livestock 81

permissible: it is a sign of a dying brain. If the tongue is hanging

straight down, limp and floppy, the animal is definitely stunned: if it
is curled this is a sign of possible sensibility.

The heads of poultry that have been stunned with electricity

should hang straight down after stunning. Birds that have not been
properly stunned will show a strong righting reflex and raise their
heads.
Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of livestock 83

CHAPTER 8

MAINTENANCE OF
GOOD ANIMAL WELFARE STANDARDS

People who handle or slaughter hundreds of animals become

desensitised to suffering and have a tendency to become rough or
careless unless their daily work is continuously monitored.
Managers must maintain high standards of operational animal
welfare.

Five major critical control points

It is strongly recommended that an HACCP-type system be

used to measure and monitor the efficacy and performance of
livestock and slaughter operators. HACCP—Hazard Analysis and
Critical Control Points—is a system primarily used in meat plants to
ensure food safety. By adapting the system to make regular
measurements at Critical Control Points (CCPs) in the process,
various critical operations, which are carried out by workers
handling and slaughtering livestock, can be monitored to ensure that
it is done correctly, leading to steady improvements in welfare and
operational quality. An objective scoring system for certain
operations is described. Evaluations of animal welfare against
accepted standards and also between evaluators can be made. Five
major critical control points of animal handling and slaughter are
briefly outlined here.

Suggested control points for monitoring and evaluation are:

1. Stunning efficacy – the percentage of animals

rendered insensible at the first attempt. (Insensibility is
assessed according to criteria described on page 84/85.)
84 Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of livestock

a. Captive bolt stunning - correct shooting

b. Electric tongs stunning – correct placement

2. Bleed rail insensibility – the percentage of animals

that remain insensible before and after bleeding (using the
same criteria as in 1).

3. Vocalisation – the percentage of cattle or pigs that

vocalise (bellow, moo or squeal) during adverse events
such as missed stuns, excessive electric prod use,
excessive pressure from restraint device slipping or
falling etc. Each animal is scored as a vocalizer or non-
vocalizer during handling and stunning, not in the holding
pens. Vocalising scoring is not used on sheep as they
often do this anyway.

4. Slipping and falling--the percentage of animals that

slip or fall during handling or stunning. Selected stations
should be chosen for monitoring.

5. Electric prods – percentage of animals requiring

prodding with an electric goad.

Monitoring and audit of these CCPs must be done on a

regular basis.

Objective scoring of efficacy standards

at critical control points

1.a. Captive bolt - Stunning efficacy

(Score, per day, a minimum of 20 animals or 20% in

large plants)
Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of livestock 85

* Excellent – 99-100 % instantly rendered insensible

with one shot;

* Acceptable – 95-98 %;

* Not acceptable – 90-94 %;

* Serious problems – less than 90 %.

Action: if one-shot efficacy falls below 95% immediate

action must be taken to improve the percentage.

1.b. Electrical stunning - Tongs placement efficacy

(Score all pigs, sheep or ostriches or a minimum of 100 in

large plants)

* Excellent – 99.5-100% correct placement of stunning

tongs;

* Acceptable – 99.4-99%;

* Not acceptable – 98-95 %;

* Serious problem – less than 95 %.

2. Insensibility after stunning

(Score a minimum of 20 animals or 20% in large plants)

-If the animal is hoisted immediately after stunning,

evaluate after hoisting (unless it shows obvious
sensibility);
86 Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of livestock

-If the animal is left on the ground, wait 15-30 seconds

before evaluating to allow spasms to stop (especially in
electrically stunned);

-Any animal, which shows any signs of sensibility, must

immediately be re-stunned.

* Excellent - Cattle – less than 1 per 1000 or 0.1%;

- Pigs - less than 1 per 2000 or 0.05%;

* Acceptable - Cattle – less than 1 per 500 or 0.2%;

- Pigs - less than 1 per 1000 or 0.1%.

3.a. Criteria for vocalization of cattle

- In crowd pen, lead-up race, stun box or restraint device.

(Score minimum of 20 animals or 20% in large plants)

Score each animal Yes for vocalizer and No for non-

vocalizer

* Excellent - 0.05% or less of cattle Yes;

* Acceptable - 3% or less Yes;

* Not acceptable - 4-10% Yes;

* Serious problem – more than 10% Yes.

3.b Criteria for vocalization of pigs

- In restrainer, stunning pen or during stunning.

Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of livestock 87

(Score minimum of 20 pigs or 10% in large plant)

Score each animal Yes for vocalizer and No for non-

vocalizer

* Excellent - 0% of the pigs Yes;

* Acceptable - 1% or less pigs Yes for restrainer,

0% due to misplaced tongs;

* Not acceptable - 2% or more Yes in restrainer or

pen;

* Serious problem - 5% or more Yes in restrainer or

pen.

Reducing the level of pig squealing improves pork quality

and decreases PSE.

Do not use vocalization scoring for sheep.

4. Slipping and failing in the stunning area

- Includes restrainer entrances, races, holding pens and

unloads ramp.

(Score a minimum of 20 animals or 10% in large plants)

Score on Yes for slip and No for non-slip.

* Excellent - no slipping or falling;

88 Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of livestock

* Acceptable - slipping of less than 3% of

animals;

* Not acceptable - 1% falling down (body touches

floor);

* Serious problem - 5% falling down or 15%

slipping.

5. Electric prodding efficacy

If the prod causes the animal to vocalise, the current is too

strong.

(Score a minimum of 20 animals or 10% in large plants)

Score Yes if the animals vocalise and No if don’t.

a. Electric prods scoring criteria for cattle:

Total
Crowd pens Entrance to
percentage of
to race stun box
cattle prodded
* Excellent no Yesses 5% or less 5% or less
* Acceptable no Yesses 10% or less 10% or less
* Not accept 20% or less 20% or less
* Serious problem 50% or more
Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of livestock 89

b. Electric prods scoring criteria for pigs:

Total
Crowd pens Entrance to
percentage of
to race restrainer
pigs prodded
* Excellent no Yesses 10% or less 10% or less
* Acceptable no Yesses - 15% or less
* Not accept no Yesses - 25% or less
* Serious problem - - 50% or more
Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of livestock 91

CONCLUSION

The international livestock industry must be encouraged to

practice increasingly better handling and welfare of slaughter
animals. This is particularly important for developing countries, as
this will improve production. Here, the introduction of better
stunning practices and improved pre-stunning methods for ritual
slaughter are urgently required.

In developing countries good standards of animal welfare can

be achieved during transport and slaughter without the use of
expensive high-tech equipment. These countries should be assisted
to produce simple locally or regionally made improvements such as
metal grating on the slippery floor of a vehicle or stun box or
materials to construct races and restraint devices, as well as stunning
equipment like electrical tongs and cartridges for captive bolt pistols.
Importing expensive equipment and the difficulties in securing
regular supplies of cartridges causes many slaughterhouse
managements to abandon recommended stunning methods and to
resort to inhumane methods.

There is also a need around the world to change marketing

systems, which will enable people to pass losses such as bruises
along to the next segment in the marketing chain. People need to be
held accountable for losses from bruises, hide damage, branding and
dead animals. Changes in marketing systems and in the way people
are paid is one of the best ways to improve welfare and reduce
economic losses. People should not be paid on a piecework basis but
should receive bonuses for reduced bruising and better stunning.

The formation of producer cooperatives would eliminate

middlemen and those cooperatives could also initiate training
programmes for staff who handle transport and slaughter livestock,
thereby improving the standard of animal welfare and increasing
economic return.