This collection features five peer-reviewed literature reviews on ensuring animal welfare during transport and slaughter.
The first chapter examines the impact of transport on beef and dairy cattle, as well as the effects of transport on carcass quality issues, such as bruising and dark cutting beef. It details how conditions can be optimised to ensure the welfare needs of the animal are met during all stages of transport.
The second chapter reviews the legislation and codes of practice surrounding the transport and slaughter of cows to be culled as a result of disease or the development of health conditions such as lameness.
The third chapter considers the effects of transport, handling and slaughter practices on pigs as well as physiological effects on carcass and meat quality.
The fourth chapter explores current approaches used to stun poultry before slaughter, including electrical stunning and controlled atmosphere stunning. The chapter reviews the associated risks and benefits of each approach to overall bird health and welfare.
The final chapter reviews the main welfare issues associated with management of sheep once they leave the farm, including transport by road and sea, use of holding facilities as well as handling and stunning of sheep at abattoirs.
Chapter 1 - Optimizing welfare in transport and slaughter of cattle: Jan Shearer, Iowa State University, USA; 1 Introduction2 Culling and permanent herd removals3 Transport of cattle to markets and slaughter facilities4 Trends in transport of dairy and beef cattle5 Muscling and body condition of cull cows arriving at slaughter plants6 Hide and carcass bruising evaluation7 Optimising welfare during the pre-transport stage8 Welfare of cattle during transport9 Welfare of cattle at slaughter10 Summary11 Where to look for further information12 References Chapter 2 - Ensuring the welfare of culled dairy cows during transport and slaughter: Carmen Gallo and Ana Strappini, Universidad Austral de Chile, Chile; 1 Introduction2 Legislation and codes of practice3 Pre-transport conditions that influence the welfare of cows during transport4 Welfare of culled cows during transport5 The effects of livestock markets on cow welfare6 Welfare of cows at the slaughter plant7 Conclusions8 Where to look for further information9 References Chapter 3 - Optimising pig welfare during transport, lairage and slaughter: Luigi Faucitano, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canada; and Antonio Velarde, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology, Spain; 1 Introduction2 Welfare during transport3 Welfare in lairage4 Welfare during stunning and slaughter5 Animal welfare audit protocols6 Conclusion and future trends7 Where to look for further information8 References Chapter 4 - Improving welfare in poultry slaughter: Dorothy McKeegan, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, UK; and Jessica Martin, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, UK; 1 Introduction2 Lairage3 Stunning methods4 Conclusions5 Where to look for further information6 References Chapter 5 - Humane transport, lairage and slaughter of sheep: P. H. Hemsworth and E. C. Jongman, University of Melbourne, Australia; 1 Introduction2 Animal welfare and its assessment3 Transporting sheep4 Abattoirs5 Sheep pen design: rest and recovery in lairage6 Sheep handling7 Stunning8 Safeguarding animal welfare9 Future trends and conclusion10 Where to look for further information11 Acknowledgements12 References
