Animal Handling during Supply for Marketing and Operations at an Abattoir in Developing Country: The Case of Gudar Market and Ambo Abattoir, Ethiopia

Abstract

In the agricultural sector, it is important to appropriately develop livestock resources in of developing countries in order to reduce poverty. The aim of this study was to investigate the animal handling and welfare issues during transport for marketing with special focus on cattle flow to and from Gudar livestock market and activity chain of Ambo abattoir in Ethiopia. Information and data on main feeder markets to Gudar regional market; the main stakeholders in this animal supply chain; number of animals flow to and from Gudar market; the distance and time duration the animals transported; animal handling and welfare concerns during transport and at market site; and activities in Ambo abattoir chain were gathered, interpreted and discussed. The study indicated that the flow of cattle to and from Gudar market was by walk- ing which took up to 4 days or by vehicles which took up to 3 h. There were no appropriate vehicle and loading facili- ties and animal handling conditions were poor. From total number of animals supplied to Gudar market about 7.6% died, 6.9% injured and 2.8% was stolen during transport. During transport from Gudar to final destination by walking, about 16% died and 10.7% was injured. The effect of animal number (p = 0.0498) was slightly significant than the effect of travel distance (p = 0.3487) on the occurrence of incidences such as animal death and injuries, at significance level of 0.05. Lameness and injury to bone, muscle, swelling of leg and sickness were widely observed during transportation by walking. Poor market infrastructures; lack of regional abattoir facilities; difficulties in getting timely market information; and lack of well-organized networks between stakeholders were also identified as existing problems compromising the animal welfare and economic benefits. Therefore, further research works concerning animal welfare during animal flow in the supply chain; and impact of abattoir activities on environment and human and animal health should be conducted. Such studies important to improve the economic benefits gained from livestock resources with positive contribution towards efforts of insuring food security and sustainable development

Review on the Effect of Handling, Slaughtering Process and Transport on Welfare of Animals and Meat Quality in Ethiopia

“…In Ethiopia, the most common transport system was on foot from rural areas to nearby markets and then by vehicles to urban areas such as Kera and shola market around Addis Ababa [18]. Since almost all animals were transported by walking on rocky and asphalted roads full of gravel to urban areas, they were exposed to the incidence of lameness and injury to the bone and muscle, swelling of the leg, and inflammation [19]. Traffic accidents are also major problems when they were transported by vehicles [19].…”

Farm Animal Welfare and Handling in the Tropics: The Ethiopia Case

“…A recent study indicated that stakeholders in Ethiopia handle animals in an aversive way, which has been shown to increase prevalence of death and injuries [32]. By measuring behavioural or physiological conditions, animal handling can be explained to a higher extent and a welfare concept implemented.…”

“…The most common way of transporting animals in Africa is by foot since there is a great lack of vehicles with sufficient capacity [4]. Walking animals by foot often leads to injured, dead or stolen animals, which were investigated by Bulitta, et al, [32] who found that 7.6% of animals died, 6-9% got injured and 2.8% were stolen. Furthermore, he found that lameness and injuries such as swelling of legs commonly occur.…”

“…How animals are behaving during handling is dependent mainly on genetics but also on previous experiences [31]. In Ethiopia, handling of animals is usually aversive [32] and therefore in conflict with animal welfare. If animals fail to cope with environmental stressors, it is likely that they will express chronic stress.…”

“…These were shown to affect health, productivity and market value of animals. It has been shown that transport conditions, level of vibration on vehicle, behaviours the animal expresses and changes of stress hormones, contradict animal welfare to a great extent [32]. The most common way of transporting animals in Africa is by foot since there is a great lack of vehicles with sufficient capacity [4].…”