Humane Slaughtering Of Livestock

This book provides both evidence-based scientific studies and practical guidance to enhance the welfare of cattle, pigs, sheep and poultry at slaughter. Temple Grandin and Michael Cockram have brought together a range of international experts to prepare chapters on philosophical and ethical views on the slaughter of farmed animals. These include welfare issues and their assessment, the condition of animals on arrival and their management during lairage, animal handling, methods of humane slaughter and assessment of unconsciousness. The book boldly tackles controversial issues around the compromises necessary when balancing animal welfare concerns with commercial realities, as well as religious slaughter. Chapters cover methods of stunning, pre-slaughter handling, equipment design, monitoring welfare with abattoir data and auditing methods. It is an important publication for those involved in implementing improvements in the humane slaughter of farmed animals and is recommended for veterinarians, students, abattoir managers and government regulators.

The welfare of production animals at slaughter is a major veterinary concern with debate on questions such as the degree of stunning required, how sentient animals are of their surroundings, slaughterhouse conditions and how quickly animals lose consciousness after having their throats cut in religious slaughter practices. This research monograph provides a thoroughly scientific evidence-based account of the physiology and behaviour of animals for slaughter, analysis of the different killing methods, legislation and operating procedures, lairage and movement, depopulation and handling. Animal Welfare at Slaughter is mainly aimed at animal welfare officers and policy makers, veterinary and meat inspectors and slaughterhouse auditors. However, this is a reliable resource also for veterinary and animal science students and the informed public. The Animal Welfare Series covers current topics in animal welfare, to further research and inform the scientific, policy-making and farming communities. 5m Books