Pre-slaughter cattle welfare indicators for use in commercial abattoirs with voluntary monitoring systems: A systematic review

Abstract

Animal welfare has become an important subject of public, economic and political concern, leading to the need to validate indicators that are feasible to use at abattoirs. A systematic review was carried out, which identified 72 cattle welfare indicators (CWI) that were classified into four categories (physiological, morphometric, behavioral and meat quality). Their validity and feasibility for use in abattoirs were evaluated as potential measures of cattle welfare during transportation to the abattoir and at the abattoir itself. Several highly valid indicators were identified that are useful to assess welfare at abattoirs, including body condition score, human-animal interactions, vocalizations, falling, carcass bruising, and meat pH. In addition, some intermediate valid indicators are useful and should be investigated further. Information along the food chain could be used systematically to provide a basis for a more-risk-based meat inspection. An integrated system based on the use of key indicators defined for each inspection step with the setting of alarm thresholds could be implemented.

Sire breed effect on carcass and temperament traits

“…Similarly, Schutt et al (2009) did not find differences in ADG for Brahman x British crossbreeds, which is consistent with our average daily gain results, although steers in our study had lower ADG in comparison to the abovementioned studies. In general, purebred animals have lower ADG compared to crossbreeds (MAGGIONI et al, 2010). However, the degree of heterosis was the same between steers in this study, and no purebred steers were tested to assess heterosis effects.…”

“…According to Warriss et al (1984) and Del Campo et al (2010), a short lairage time increases the ultimate pH. Stressor effects appear to be additive, and the multiple stressors in the preslaughter period result in a higher pH than a single or few stressors that can be classified in four categories: physiological, morphometric, behavioral and meat quality (LOSADA-ESPINOSA et al, 2018). This study was conducted to reduce the stressor effects and evaluate the steers under the same conditions.…”

An outlook on livestock welfare conditions in African communities — A review

“…Developed countries have placed a high sense of concern for farm AW; it has been a rapidly growing area of interest over the years [15,30,4345]. Regardless of some researchbased recommendations that have been developed towards miti gating these concerns, some people generally perceive animal basedfood consumption as an inhumane act [46].…”

“…Technologies to enhance AW conditions in practices such as castration [105], as well as handling and slaughter [30,106] have been improved upon and/or need to be developed over time. However, adoption has been slow in some parts of the developing world and this could be attributed to limited knowl edge, means and expertise to access them.…”

“…Njisane et al (2020) Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 33:867-878 tity) is dependent on the conditions to which it is exposed, as well as its relationship with the stockman [29]. Losada Espinosa et al [30] reported that in trying to cope with the presented environment, the animal's energy is usually di verted from production to adaptation. Various food animals undergo similar stressors; however, the extent of the effects may differ.…”