Stunning and animal welfare from Islamic and scientific perspectives

The transformation of an animal into pieces fit for human consumption is a very important operation. Rather than argue about halal slaughter without stunning being inhumane or stunning being controversial from the Islamic point of view, we discuss slaughter, stunning and animal welfare considering both Islamic and animal welfare legislation requirements. With the world Muslim population close to two billion, the provision of halal meat for the Muslim community is important both ethically and economically. However, from the animal welfare standard point of view, a number of issues have been raised about halal slaughter without stunning, particularly, about stressful methods of restraint and the latency of the onset of unconsciousness. This paper sets out to, discuss the methods of stunning that are acceptable by Islamic authorities, highlight the requirements for stunning to be acceptable in Islam and suggest practical ways to improve the humanness of slaughter.     

Attitudes of meat retailers to animal welfare in Spain

This study analyzes retailer attitude towards animal welfare in Spain, and how this attitude has changed over recent years (2006–2011). Retailers were concerned about animal welfare issues but a declining trend is observed recently, probably due to the financial crisis. The concern about animal welfare was affected by sex, with women retailers expressing a more positive attitude towards animal welfare issues than men. Retailers, based on their experience, perceive a low level of willingness to pay more for welfare friendly products (WFP) on behalf of their customers. This fact is reflected in the sales of the WFP, which declined from 2006 to 2011. The main reason for consumers to buy WFP, according to retailer perception, is organoleptic quality, with improved welfare being second. The results obtained provide a pessimistic picture in relation to the current market positioning of WFP, which is probably a consequence of market contraction.     

Effect of information about animal welfare, expressed in terms of rearing conditions, on lamb acceptability

The present study was aimed to assess the effect of information about the farming system and welfare of artificially (AR) and ewe-reared lambs (ER) on meat acceptability. An 84-consumer panel was asked to give three types of evaluation for both products: tasting without information (perceived liking); information without tasting (expected liking); tasting with information (actual liking). For both products, the expected liking was significantly different from the perceived liking (P<0.001), thus indicating that a disconfirmation occurred. The consumers found ER meat worse than expected (negative disconfirmation) and AR meat better than expected (positive disconfirmation). No significant difference between perceived and actual liking was observed for ER lamb (P>0.05), whereas, for the meat produced by AR lambs actual liking was lower than perceived liking (P<0.001). However, consumers did not completely assimilate their liking in the direction of expectations, as indicated by the fact that expectancy for AR lamb was significantly lower than actual acceptability (P<0.001). Mean scores of perceived liking were higher for the meat produced by AR animals as compared to ER lambs (P<0.05). Conversely, expected and actual liking scores were higher for meat from ER lambs than for meat from AR animals (P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively). These results show that information about animal welfare, expressed in terms of rearing conditions, can be a major determinant of animal-based food acceptability, thus providing a potential tool for meat differentiation.     

Road transport of cattle, swine and poultry in North America and its impact on animal welfare, carcass and meat quality: a review

This paper reviews the effects of road transport on the welfare, carcass and meat quality of cattle, swine and poultry in North America (NA). The main effects of loading density, trailer microclimate, transport duration, animal size and condition, management factors including bedding, ventilation, handling, facilities, and vehicle design are summarized by species. The main effects listed above all have impacts on welfare (stress, health, injury, fatigue, dehydration, core body temperature, mortality and morbidity) and carcass and meat quality (shrink, bruising, pH, color defects and water losses) to varying degrees. It is clear that the effect of road transport is a multi-factorial problem where a combination of stressors rather than a single factor is responsible for the animal's well-being and meat quality post transport. Animals least fit for transport suffer the greatest losses in terms of welfare and meat quality while market ready animals (in particular cattle and pigs) in good condition appear to have fewer issues. More research is needed to identify the factors or combination of factors with the greatest negative impacts on welfare and meat quality relative to the species, and their size, age and condition under extreme environmental conditions. Future research needs to focus on controlled scientific assessments, under NA conditions, of varying loading densities, trailer design, microclimate, and handling quality during the transport process. Achieving optimal animal well-being, carcass and meat quality will entirely depend on the quality of the animal transport process.     

欧盟烈性酒法律法规对我国白酒产业的启示

中国白酒拥有几千年酿酒史,秉承着世界上最为繁复的酿酒工艺,但在国际烈性酒市场上影响力却很有限,销售市场主要限于国内,特别在烈性酒消耗量非常大的欧盟国家,白酒出口额度更低。本文通过对欧盟烈性酒相关法律法规的整理、研究,在欧盟食品安全监管体系的框架下,从欧盟食品基本法、食品添加剂、污染物限量、烈性酒及酒精法规、食品标签、包装及接触材料等6个方面对有关烈性酒的法规进行初步探讨,以期能够为中国白酒出口欧盟市场提供一些参考。欧盟主要是通过食品标签法规与食品添加剂等法规结合使用来保障食品安全,对于中国白酒而言,理化成分基础研究方面是其薄弱一环。因此,应学习世界其他蒸馏酒、葡萄酒的基础研究经验,特别是借鉴国外前沿的研究方向与研究方法,夯实基础,力求在理化成分的基础研究方面取得突破性进展。     

The use of acute phase proteins for monitoring animal health and welfare in the pig production chain: The validation of an immunochromatographic method for the detection of elevated levels of pig-MAP

The serum concentration of acute phase proteins (APPs) increases in the presence of disease or stress, which makes APPs notable parameters for the global assessment of animal health and welfare. A rapid, immunochromatographic test (ICT) for the detection of elevated levels of pig Major Acute-phase Protein (pig-MAP), one of the main APPs in pigs, was evaluated in more than 1400 pig serum samples obtained from commercial farms. The ICT showed a good performance with a relative sensitivity (Sn) and specificity (Sp) of 94 and 97%, respectively, for a threshold of 1.5 mg/mL (comparison with ELISA). Differences in the pig-MAP levels and the number of positive samples with the ICT were observed within the season of sampling, farms, and age groups at one farm, according to the presence of disease or lesions. The ICT was also evaluated in blood samples obtained at slaughter in association with the carcase inspection. The results from this study indicate that the ICT may be used for the evaluation of groups of pigs, after analysing one sub-sample of these pigs, and might be a useful tool in routine health and welfare monitoring programmes aimed to improve the quality of pig production.     

欧盟犊牛福利养殖措施及犊牛肉分级标准

犊牛肉为高档肉品,深受欧美一些国家消费者青睐。本文介绍了欧盟国家为保障犊牛的基本福利采取的福利养殖措施以及犊牛肉分级标准。欧盟先进的养殖措施及分级标准对于有效利用我国丰富的犊牛资源,发展犊牛肉产业具有一定的参考价值。     

欧盟动物及动物源食品中兽药残留监控及2018—2020年监测结果分析

欧盟经过多年对动物及动物源食品实施残留监控计划,已经逐渐形成一个完整、系统和科学的兽药残留监控模式。近年来,我国逐步加大了对兽药残留的监管力度,建立和完善了兽药残留监管体系。本文从欧盟兽药残留监控部门职能分工、兽药残留法规标准、监控计划、监控特点等4个方面介绍欧盟兽药残留监控体系,从总体概况、产品类别、项目监测情况等方面详细分析了2018—2020年欧盟动物及动物源食品中兽药残留检出情况,并与我国食品安全监督抽检情况做了对比,探讨了兽药残留超标产生的原因,提出风险管理建议,为我国食品安全监管决策和兽药残留标准体系建设提供参考。     

Animal welfare assessment at slaughter in Europe: moving from inputs to outputs

Producers, retailers and other food chain actors increasingly recognize that consumer concerns for good animal welfare represent a business opportunity that could be profitably incorporated into their commercial strategies. Therefore, during the last decade, numerous trade groups (producers, processors, retailers and restaurant chains) have developed certification systems with their suppliers which include elements of animal welfare. The Welfare Quality® project has developed an integrated and standardised welfare assessment system based on twelve welfare criteria grouped into four main principles (good feeding, good housing, good health and appropriate behaviour) according to how they are experienced by animals. One of the innovations of the Welfare Quality® assessment system is that it focuses more on outcome measures (e.g. directly related to animal body condition, health aspects, injuries, behaviour, etc.). This paper has the objective to discuss the rationale behind the welfare assessment and to describe the Welfare Quality® assessment of pigs and cattle at the slaughterhouse.     

Effect of enriched housing on welfare,production performance and meat quality in finishing lambs: The use of feeder ramps

This study analyses the effect of environmental enrichment on the welfare, productive traits and meat quality of lambs housed in feedlots. Sixty lambs were placed in enriched (EE) or conventional (CO) pens (3 pens for each treatment, 10 lambs/pen) where EE had a wooden platform with ramps that provided access to a concentrate hopper, cereal straw as bedding and forage, and one play ramp. The CO pen was barren, similar to commercial feedlots. The physiological adaptation response of EE lambs was more efficient than CO, since the latter mobilised more body reserves (i.e., increased NEFA, P < 0.05), and had lower levels of immunity (i.e., increased N/L, P < 0.05), which indicate chronic stress, probably associated with the barren environment. The EE lambs had a higher (P < 0.05) average daily gain, with heavier carcasses and higher fattening scores, as well as lower pH_ult, higher L* and b* values, and lower values of texture (P < 0.05).     

欧盟动物福利政策的发展及对我国的启示

随着公众对动物福利的关注度不断上升,近年来欧洲各国出台了一系列改善动物福利的政策。本文介绍了欧盟动物福利政策的发展历程,讨论了动物福利对市场、政策制定与全球国际贸易的影响,阐述与评价了可供选择的动物福利政策,并以欧盟为鉴,对我国动物福利政策的发展提出了政策建议。     

Relationship between herd size and measures of animal welfare on dairy cattle farms with freestall housing in Germany

The objective of this study was to examine the association of herd size with animal welfare in dairy cattle herds. Therefore, 80 conventional dairy cattle farms were classified by the number of cows into 4 herd size classes, C1 (<100 cows), C2 (100–299 cows), C3 (300–499 cows), and C4 (≥500 cows), and assessed using multiple animal-based measures of the Welfare Quality Assessment protocol for dairy cattle. Data were recorded from April 2014 to September 2016 by an experienced single assessor in northern Germany. Each farm was visited 2 times at an interval of 6 mo (summer period and winter period) to avoid seasonal effects on the outcome. The average herd size was 383 ± 356 Holstein-Friesian cows (range 45 to 1,629). Only farms with freestall (cubicle) housing and a maximum of 6 h access to pasture per day were included in the study. Data were statistically analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model. None of the farms reached the highest overall rating of “excellent.” The majority of the farms were classified as “enhanced” (30%) or “acceptable” (66%), and at 6 assessments the farms were rated as “not classified” (4%). Regarding single indicators, mean trough length per cow, percentage of cows with nasal discharge, and vulvar discharge increased with increasing herd size, whereas it was vice versa for displacements of cows. Percentage of lean cows, percentage of dirty lower legs, and duration of the process of lying down showed a curvilinear relationship with the number of cows per farm. Herd size was not associated with any other measures of the Welfare Quality protocol. In conclusion, herd size effects were small, and consequently herd size cannot be considered as a feasible indicator of the on-farm animal welfare level. Housing conditions and management practices seem to have a greater effect on animal welfare than the number of dairy cows per farm.     

Effect of different carbon dioxide concentrations and exposure times in stunning of slaughter pigs: Impact on animal welfare and meat quality

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of different slaughter procedures on animal welfare and meat quality. Before slaughter in a dip-lift, one-gondola system, 460 pigs were exposed to an atmosphere containing either 80% or 90% CO(2) for 70 or 100s, and at the longer exposure time with stun-to-stick intervals of either 25-35 or 40-50s. Clinical parameters (reflexes, catecholamines and lactate) showed deficiencies in animal welfare after stunning with 80% CO(2) for 70 and 100s, with an interval of 40-50s, and with 90% CO(2) for 70s. Stunning with 80% CO(2) for 70 or 100s always induced stress, as indicated by higher lactate levels, and reduced meat quality as indicated by low pH(24) values (5.4 in Musculus longissimus and 5.5 in Musculus semimembranosus) and low impedance (Py(24)) values, especially in combination with the longer stun-to-stick interval (40-50s). Stunning with 80% or 90% CO(2) in a dip-lift system was found to be acceptable for animal welfare (percentage of clinical reflexes) only in combination with the longer exposure time of 100s and the shorter stun-to-stick times of 25-35s. When 90% CO(2) was used, the longer stun-to-stick interval of 40-50s also gave results acceptable with regard to animal welfare. Generally, in comparison to 80% CO(2) stunning meat quality was superior (higher pH(24) and Py(24) values) after stunning with 90% CO(2).     

Behavioural and physiological reactions of cattle in a commercial abattoir: relationships with organisational aspects of the abattoir and animal characteristics

Behavioural, physiological and metabolic reactions of cattle to handling and slaughter procedures were evaluated in a commercial abattoir, from arrival until slaughter. Different genders or breeds were not subjected to the same procedures due to abattoir equipment or organisational aspects of the abattoir. Reactions to similar slaughter procedures varied according to animal characteristics and could have consequences for subsequent handling procedures. Factors that appeared to cause handling problems and vocalisation were excessive pressure during restraint, and distractions in the corridor such as noise, darkness, seeing people and activity. Post-mortem muscle metabolism depended on slaughter procedures. Following stunning or halal slaughter, some animals showed head rising movements despite the abolition of the corneal reflex, suggesting that head rising is not always indicative of consciousness. Overall, this study presents concrete data on how different types of cattle may react to slaughter procedures with a direct interest for the abattoir itself but also for scientific purposes.     

Associations between on-farm animal welfare indicators and productivity and profitability on Canadian dairies: I. On freestall farms

Motivating dairy producers to financially invest in the improvement of their animals' comfort and welfare can pose some challenges, especially when financial returns are uncertain. Economic advantages for dairy producers associated with increased animal welfare are likely to come from either a premium paid for the milk or increased productivity. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the associations between measures of herd productivity and farm profitability and animal-, management-, and resource-based indicators of cow welfare and comfort. The cow welfare measures were collected during a cow comfort assessment conducted on 130 Canadian freestall dairy farms, including 20 using an automatic milking system. Herd productivity and farm profitability measures were retrieved or calculated from data collected by the regional dairy herd improvement programs, and included milk production and quality, longevity, and economic margins over replacement costs. Univariable and multivariable linear regression models were used to assess the associations between welfare indicators and productivity and profitability measures. Increased yearly corrected milk production was associated with reduced prevalence of cows with knee lesions [β = 7.40; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.6, 12.2], dirty flanks (β = 26.9; 95% CI: 7.4, 46.5), and lameness (β = 11.7; 95% CI: 3.3, 20.1). The farms' economic margin per cow, calculated over replacement costs, was associated with the within farm average lying time standard deviation (β = ?7.2; 95% CI: ?12.7, ?1.7), percent of stalls with dry bedding (β = 6.4; 95% CI: 1.4, 11.4), and prevalence of cows with knee lesions (β = ?5.1; 95% CI: ?8.9, ?1.3). Some of the relationships found were complex, including several interactions between the animal-, management-, and resource-based measures. Overall, the results suggest that improved cow comfort and welfare on freestall farms is associated with increased herd productivity and profitability, when the latest is calculated by the margins over the replacement costs.     

The work of the European Union Reference Laboratory for Food Additives (EURL) and its support for the authorisation process of feed additives in the European Union: a review

This paper describes the operation of the European Union Reference Laboratory for Feed Additives (EURL) and its role in the authorisation procedure of feed additives in the European Union. Feed additives are authorised according to Regulation (EC) No. 1831/2003, which introduced a completely revised authorisation procedure and also established the EURL. The regulations authorising feed additives contain conditions of use such as legal limits of the feed additives, which require the availability of a suitable method of analysis for official control purposes under real world conditions. It is the task of the EURL to evaluate the suitability of analytical methods as proposed by the industry for this purpose. Moreover, the paper shows that one of the major challenges is the huge variety of the methodology applied in feed additive analysis, thus requiring expertise in quite different analytical areas. In order to cope with this challenge, the EURL is supported by a network of national reference laboratories (NRLs) and only the merged knowledge of all NRLs allows for a scientifically sound assessment of the analytical methods.     

A comparison of halothane homozygous negative and positive pietrain sire lines in relation to carcass and meat quality, and welfare traits

Barrows (n=164) and gilts (n=249) from crosses of a Pietrain homozygous halothane recessive (Pi nn) and two Pietrain homozygous dominant (Pi NN-a and Pi NN-b) sire lines with Landrace×Large White NN sows, were used to study the effect of terminal sire and pre-slaughter treatment on meat quality and animal welfare. The pigs from each of the two farms where they were finished were delivered to the abattoir in two batches differing in the pre-slaughter conditions. A total of 90 pigs (54 NN and 36 Nn) were assigned to a long pre-slaughter treatment (6 h transport and 14.5 h lairage) and 89 (57 NN and 33 Nn) to a short pre-slaughter treatment (4.5 h transport and 2.5 h lairage) in Farm 1, and 118 (65 NN and 53 Nn) to the long (7 h transport and 14 h lairage) and 114 (66 NN and 48 Nn) to the short pre-slaughter treatment (1.5 h transport and 2 h lairage) in Farm 2. In Farm 1, heart rate of 3 NN and 3 Nn gilts was recorded throughout loading and transport and blood samples from 5 NN and 5 Nn were collected before loading and after transport to measure cortisol, creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Carcasses were classified and commercial cutting was carried out. At 24 h, meat quality was assessed on the Longissimus thoracis muscle by measuring electrical conductivity (PQM), colour (Minolta CR 200 and Japanese scale), pHu and drip losses. Halothane carriers showed a higher mean heart rate and higher increase in CPK levels (P<0.05) after transport in the short pre-slaughter treatment than halothane free pigs. No effect was observed in cortisol or LDH values. Pi NN-a sired pigs had a higher live and carcass weight (P<0.001) and loin depth (P<0.05), but lower killing out percentage (P<0.01) and leg yield (P<0.01) compared with the progeny of the other two terminal sires. Gilts were leaner (P<0.001), had a higher killing out percentage (P<0.001) and higher yields of primal cuts (P<0.001) compared with barrows. Pi nn sired pigs had poorer meat quality (higher PQM values in both farms, P<0.01) than Pi NN-a sired pigs. Long pre-slaughter treatment resulted in darker meat (P<0.01) in both farms and in higher pHu (P<0.001) in Farm 1 than short pre-slaughter treatment. Conversely, pigs subjected to the short pre-slaughter treatment showed higher PQM values (P<0.01) in Farm 1 and higher PSE percentage (P<0.05) in both farms compared to the ones subjected to the long pre-slaughter treatment. These results suggest that Pietrain halothane free sire lines could produce similar results on carcass quality to halothane carriers, without compromising meat quality and welfare.     

2018年欧盟食品中农药残留情况分析及启示

欧盟向来十分重视食品安全, 在农药残留监管方面, 建立了健全的农药残留监管体系。 本文从欧盟农药残留法规标准、监管部门及分工和欧盟农药残留控制计划3方面介绍了欧盟农药残留监管体系, 从欧盟协调控制计划和国家控制计划两部分分析了2018年欧盟食品中农药残留情况, 涉及样品来源、产品、农药、食品中草甘膦、进口食品、婴幼儿食品、有机食品和动物源性食品等。本文也指出了农药残留产生的原因和风险评估结果, 提出风险管理建议, 并借鉴其监管思路, 提出对我国农药残留监管的几点建议, 为食品安全监管决策提供参考。     

欧盟蜂蜜抗生素残留监控体系研究及对我国的启示

欧盟是当今食品安全管理体系最为完善的地区之一,特别是欧盟建立了完善的食品中残留监控管理体系.本文研究了欧盟关于蜂蜜食品安全法规、抗生素残留限量的沿革、对第三国进口蜂蜜残留的监控等管理体系,结合我国现行相关标准,提出了完善我国蜂蜜抗生素残留监控体系的措施建议.     

欧盟水产品新安全卫生法规及我国的应对措施

目的了解欧盟水产品新安全卫生法规,提出我国的应对措施。方法解析欧盟水产品新安全卫生法规,分析出口欧盟水产品的形势。结果欧盟水产品新安全卫生法规为规范我国水产业生产加工提供了良好的契机,也为生产优良的企业提供了良好的竞争环境。结论要形成以政府为主导、企业为主体、各部门相互联动的工作机制,努力提升管理水平和质量体系,提升我国出口企业的竞争力,促进水产品外贸更快更好地发展。