Animal Supply and Logistics Activities of Abattoir Chain in Developing Countries: The Case of Kumasi Abattoir, Ghana

Abstract

The concern about the welfare of livestock during transport is increasing as animal production and transport for slaughter and breeding is increasing. The main objective of this study was to investigate the characteristics of animal supply and activities in slaughter chain in the Kumasi abattoir, Ghana. The main stakeholders were indentified and interviewed. Based on the data and information gathered (through interview, field measurements, observation and activity registration), the main characteristics of the animal supply and activities in the abattoir chain were mapped out. The study indicated that the animals were sourced from inside and outside Ghana. The purchased animals were first sent to a local collection centre before onward transportation to the Cattle Market in the Kumasi city, where the animals should stay until sold and taken to abattoir to be slaughtered. The study indicated that inhuman way of animal handling, incidence of non-ambulation, sickness and death of animals were common during transport as well as inside Kumasi cattle market. The slaughtering procedures and meat distribution to the butcheries lacked good hygienic conditions compromising meat safety and quality. These issues of animal welfare and meat safety and quality should get attention and improvements must be planned.

An Exploratory Study of the Influence of Attitudes toward Animal Welfare on Meat Consumption in Ghana

“…Additionally, concern for animal welfare seems to be on the rise in the developed world (Harper & Henson, 2001). Yet, animal welfare concerns are virtually non-existent in most developing countries (Bracke, 2009;Frimpong et al, 2012). Bracke (2009) reported that there is generally no concern for animal welfare in Ethiopia and South Africa.…”

“…This is because such cattle are usually not used to being handled. Frimpong et al (2012) highlighted some of the poor animal welfare issues associated with the transport and slaughter of food animals in Ghana. They outlined the various stages involved in the transportation of livestock to the Kumasi abattoir.…”

“…The authors specifically blamed the lack of animal welfare policy in Ghana on poor record keeping of animal welfare compromises during transport and at slaughter. Moreover, animal slaughter operations in abattoirs in Ghana are mostly done by Muslims who argue that pre-slaughter stunning is contrary to the rules of Halal slaughter (e.g., Frimpong et al, 2012). This is because many Muslims are of the opinion that pre-slaughter stunning of animals results in death before bleeding-out (Fuseini et al, 2016).…”

Meat Singeing Practices and Knowledge of Its Effects on Health and Environment among Butchers in Uyo, Nigeria

“…One of such concerns is the concentrations of various heavy metals reported on hides prepared by various methods as against the recommended Maximum Permissible Levels (MPLs) by the European Commission Regulations [4]. In Nigeria and many other African countries, singeing of the hides of goats, sheep and cattle are often done over open fires using various materials which include firewood sometimes mixed with spent engine oil, spent automobile tires, plastics and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) [1,[5][6][7]. This process is usually carried out by butchers in abattoirs or by the road side and transported to markets where they are sold for human consumption in developing countries [6,7].…”

Sero-prevalence and occupational risk factors for Brucella infection among slaughterhouse workers and butchers in Kumasi, Ghana

“…In 2000, one study could not detect Brucella infection in humans by Rose Bengal Test (RBT), in selected risk groups in the Akwapim South district of Ghana. [19] Studies carried out at the Kumasi Abattoir focused on animal supply, logistic activities and their challenges, [20] but failed to address critical issues like prevalence and occupational risk factors associated with handling livestock.…”