Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Inherent in any scheme for the utilisation of abattoir
data is the need for precise diagnoses, standard nomen-
clature for the diseases encountered and recognised
forms of presentation of the disease data. There is no
point in referring back vague or inaccurate information
to livestock producers. Equally important is efficient
identification of live animals as well as of their carcases
and offal, which must be correlated. The system in the
abattoir must include full details of the carcase and spe-
cies, disease condition, part of carcase affected, weight of
meat and offal condemned and, if necessary, be supple-
mented by the results of laboratory examinations. The
disease conditions to be recorded should be of a type that
is readily identified, of economic importance in the ani-
mal health and/or public health sphere and easily con-
trollable. There is a key role for the private veterinarian in
the interpretation of data on farm and implementation of
controls and preventative herd health programmes.
Previous barriers to implementation of post-mortem
feedback systems have largely been eliminated by web-
based electronic communications. Post-mortem data
recorded on the slaughter floor onto a specifically pro-
duced web site with controlled access can be instantane-
ously downloaded by the farmer via smartphone
technology. Such as a system developed in Northern
Ireland has added post-mortem data from pig slaughter-
houses to information already available for the grades of
pigs, delivered through an app to the producers' phone
with analysis as a weekly download.
While the EFSA opinions question the efficacy of
post-mortem inspection for public health purposes, they
emphasise the significance of the process for animal
health purposes and particularly its use on farm.
Utilisation of post-mortem data
As virtually all food animals end up in the slaughter-
house, whether prime livestock or end-of-production
cull animals, for example, cull cows and sows, it is with-
out doubt the critical and most efficient point of produc-
tion at which to carry out surveillance for animal
disease.
This disease data has the potential to be used for:
1 Reduction of losses due to disease and injury through
feedback to livestock producers and private veteri-
nary practitioners
2 Demonstration of trends and variations in animal
disease incidence due to husbandry methods, season,
geographical location, etc.
3 Tracing of affected herds as part of national disease
control programmes
4 Extent, cost and reasons for condemnations due to
disease and injury
5 Measurement, benchmarking and improvement of
animal welfare on farm - fighting and tail biting in pigs
6 Use of information regarding animal housing and hus-
bandry, including breeding data, to improve standards
on the farm, including those of animal hygiene
7 Demonstration of certain subclinical conditions
8 Forecasting of disease outbreaks in conjunction with
meteorological data
9 Enhancement of the clinical competence of the prac-
tising veterinary surgeon regarding data on client's
slaughtered stock, especially casualty animals
10 Provision for research investigations
11 Quality control check on inspection standards
The slaughter establishment has therefore an impor-
tant role to play in epidemiology and preventive vet-
erinary medicine, not only in relation to post-mortem
findings but also following examination of the live ani-
mal prior to slaughter. Harley et al . (2012) reviewed
the uses that the data could be put to in improving ani-
mal welfare, highlighting the financial loss to the
producer.
With the exception of a few countries, the potential of
post-mortem data is regrettably not being fully exploited.
Among the reasons for this deficiency are lack of coordi-
nation between those in charge of meat inspection and
primary production, the practical difficulties in slaugh-
ter line recording (e.g. fast rail speeds, inadequate inspec-
tor manning levels) and traditional livestock marketing
systems, through intermediaries and markets.
Many variations of systems are in existence. Those
countries which possess cooperative livestock/meat
systems, for example, the Netherlands and Denmark, are
better placed to organise an efficient recording and feed-
back of information to producers.
Control of hygienic production
While the responsibility to produce safe food lies with
the operator, meat inspection has a critical role to play in
inspection and verification of hygienic production sys-
tems and particularly the absence of visible contamina-
tion of the meat. In addition, it is important that all
inspections must be carried out with due regard for
hygiene. It is essential that the official inspectors set and
achieve the highest standards of hygienic dress, appear-
ance and operations if they are to have any hope of
enforcing high standards within the plant. Operational
hygiene has been dealt with in ChapterĀ 8.
Before the day's slaughter commences, the inspector
must verify that the premises, equipment and facilities
are hygienic and in good working order and that meat
operatives are properly clothed and adequate in number.
Slaughter should not be allowed to commence until a
satisfactory situation obtains. This pre-slaughter check
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