Safe Food Production Queensland: Animal Welfare SOPs: Version 1.1 October

Transcription

1 Safe Food Production Queensland : Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the slaughter of animals. Extracted from : AMIC National Animal Welfare Standards for Livestock Processing Establishments Preparing Meat for Human Consumption (2 nd Edition). Version 1 : Released October 2012 Safe Food Production Queensland: Animal Welfare SOPs: Version 1.1 October

2 Document acceptance and authorisation Version Date Approved Modified by /09/2013 GM Signature Safe Food Production Queensland: Animal Welfare SOPs: Version 1.1 October

3 Control point: Handling of animals Premises and equipment are used and maintained to minimises risk of injury, pain and suffering to the animals Yards, races and ramps are constructed and maintained free from protrusions or other deterioration that poses a risk to the species held. Yard, ramps and races are designed to take advantage of the species natural behaviour. Flooring is non-slip Equipment is used and maintained as per manufacturer s specifications. Equipment calibration checks Maintenance records Handling of animals minimises the risk of injury, pain, suffering and disturbance. Animals are provided an appropriate rest periods post transport pre slaughter. Animals are handled in a quiet manner, minimal sight and sound stimuli. Animals are handled in an appropriate manner for their physical condition and species. Physical handling is the minimum required for safe and efficient performance of an activity, minimises stress and does not result in injury to the animal. Handling equipment (goads, push boards, etc) is appropriate for the species and is used in a responsible manner. Handling procedures such as washing of animals is conducted with minimal stress to animals Animals are housed in grouping that minimises disturbance and the risks of injury, pain and suffering. Only compatible species, sex, ages and individuals are housed together Weak, sick or injured animals are housed separately. Animals that show excessive aggression to other individual are segregated. Safe Food Production Queensland: Animal Welfare SOPs: Version 1.1 October

4 Animals are provided with feed (where appropriate), water, shade, shelter, space, ventilation and lighting that is sufficient to minimise stress to the animals, assist in animal movement and allow for inspection of animals. Animals, excluding bobby calves, must be provided access to appropriate food when held at the premises in access of 24 hours. Bobby calves are slaughtered immediately on the first shift after arrival at the plant otherwise provided with feed. Time off feed should not exceed 30 hours from last feed. All animals are provided access to water immediately upon arrival and in lairage. Animal held for slaughter must be provided with shade appropriate for the species and class of animal. Animal are provided protection from weather extremes and predation. Lairage is sufficient to allow all animals to stand, turn around, lie down and rise without restriction. Ventilation must sufficient to prevent the harmful gasses and dust reaching levels that are harmful to the animal. Lighting must be uniform across all yard facilities to assist in the inspection of animals and movement through the lairage. Contingency plans, for natural disasters, industrial disputes, equipment failure, must be in place to maintain appropriate feed, water, and living conditions for the animal. Procedures are to be documented for the out of hours receival of animals. S1.5 If it is necessary to minimise the stress to the animals, water sprays are provided. When temperature reach a level where it can be reasonably expected to predispose an animal to heat stress, measure such as water sprays must be used to ensure the animal s welfare Safe Food Production Queensland: Animal Welfare SOPs: Version 1.1 October

5 Control point: Young, injured, sick or stress susceptible animals Special provisions is made for the handling and slaughter of: a) Animal that are not weaned or are stressed, injured or diseased; and b) Animal of a species that is particularly susceptible to stress. Injured or sick animals are examined and given appropriate treatment and are segregated from other animals. Animals identified for emergency are slaughtered or killed humanely as soon as possible. Facilities provide for the needs of all species, class or physical condition of animals held at the abattoir. Contingency plans are in place to ensure the welfare of all animals held at the abattoir. Competent staff are appointed to ensure appropriate handling of all species, class or physical condition of animals held at the abattoir Animals of a species, class or physical condition that is broadly considered to be susceptible to stress or suffering are the slaughtered first. All animals are inspected immediately upon arrival. All animals are inspected daily and before the beginning of each days kill. All animals identified as moribund, sick or injured receive appropriate treatment or are humanely killed using approved devices. Moribund animals are euthanased immediately on the spot without delay. Animals requiring immediate destruction or slaughter are done so using an approved method as soon as practical. Kill sheets Interpretation: Emergency slaughter; means slaughter by necessity any animal that: a) has recently suffered traumatic injury or is afflicted or suspected of being affected by a disease or other abnormality; and b) is in pain or is likely to deteriorate unless it is killed immediately Safe Food Production Queensland: Animal Welfare SOPs: Version 1.1 October

6 Control point: Slaughter Animals are slaughtered in a way that prevents unnecessary pain and suffering to the animals and causes them the least practical disturbance. Before sticking commences, animals are stunned in a way that ensures the animals are unconscious and insensible to pain before sticking occurs and do not regain consciousness or sensibility before dying. Before sticking commences, animals are restrained in a way that ensures stunning is effective. All animals are effectively restrained using appropriate equipment as per the approved procedures. Period of restraint is kept to minimum Only appropriate equipment for stunning is used, maintained operational and readily available at all times. Stunning equipment shall be used, stored, cleaned, maintained and tested in accordance with manufacturer s specifications. Back up devices approved for the purpose of stunning are to be maintained and readily available. All animals stunned before sticking Sticking of unconscious animals only occurs if animals in state of insensibility Insensibility tests are to be conducted on all stunned animals. Hoisting only after confirming animal is insensible and will not regain sensibility on the bleed rail. Animals displaying signs of sensibility or levels of consciousness are immediately restunned using approved methods only The start of dressing does not commence until the animal is confirmed dead. Kill sheets Monitoring of animal unconsciousness As per approved food safety Safe Food Production Queensland: Animal Welfare SOPs: Version 1.1 October

7 Control point: Ritual Slaughter IS NOT AN APPROVED PROCESS IN QUEENSLAND Control point: Work animals Work animals present minimal risk of injury, pain and suffering to the animals and cause the least practical disturbance to other animals. Work animals (other than lead animals) are accommodated separately from slaughter animals. Work animals are handled in a manner that is appropriate for the species and individual. Dogs are muzzled and under control at all times when working. All dogs are restrained when not working. Control point: Staff Competency Personnel responsible for handling animals at slaughtering establishments and monitoring welfare provisions at slaughtering establishments are competent in their tasks The establishment has documented procedures to train, monitor and assess personnel involved in the handling, caring and slaughtering of animals at the site. The establishment has trained personnel to assess, identify and take action for animals displaying signs of abnormality and stress. Personnel are competent in the handling of implements and work animals to assist in the handling of animals. Trained personnel are readily available for humane destruction of animals and are trained in the approved methods and equipment to do so. Personnel involved in stunning and slaughter are trained in the procedure, equipment and have the ability to recognise the effectiveness of the process. Monitoring records Kill sheets Safe Food Production Queensland: Animal Welfare SOPs: Version 1.1 October

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