Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Animal and Plant Health Regulatory Department Ante-mortem Inspection Guideline August 2009 Addis Ababa ETHIOPIA
Table of contents LIST OF ACRONYMS... III 1. INTRODUCTION... 1 2. AUTHORITY... 1 3. OBJECTIVE OF ANTE-MORTEM INSPECTION... 1 4. EXPORT ABATTOIR RESPONSIBILITIES FOR FACILITIES AND CONDITIONS... 2 5. SUPPLIES FOR PERFORMING ANTE-MORTEM INSPECTION... 3 6. ANTE-MORTEM INSPECTION METHODOLOGY... 3 6.1. OBSERVATION AT REST... 4 6.2. OBSERVATION IN MOTION... 4 7. ANTE-MORTEM DISPOSITIONS... 5 7.1. PASSED FOR SLAUGHTER... 5 7.2. SUSPECT... 5 7.3. CONDEMNED... 6 8. GENERAL SIGNS OF DISEASES AND CONDITIONS... 7 8.1. ABNORMAL BODY MOVEMENT... 7 8.2. ABNORMAL BODY CONDITION... 8 8.3. ABNORMAL SIGNS ON THE BODY S SURFACE... 8 TABLE 1. NORMAL ANIMAL TEMPERATURE RANGES (DEGREE CELSIUS)... 9 ANNEX 1. ANTE-MORTEM INSPECTION PROCESS... 10 ANNEX 2. ANTE-MORTEM INSPECTION FORMAT... 11 ANNEX 3. LIST OF DISEASE OR CONDITIONS... 12 ii
List of acronyms APHRD CBPP CCPP CNS e.g. etc Hrs LSD PPR Animal and Plant Health Regulatory Department Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia Central Nervous System For example etcetera hours Lumpy Skin Disease Peste de pitits ruminants iii
1. Introduction The term ante-mortem means before death. Ante-mortem inspection is the inspection of live animals before they are slaughtered. In any export abattoir, all livestock presented for slaughter must receive ante-mortem inspection. Ante-mortem inspection of live animals is a screening process to remove obviously diseased animals from the food supply prior to slaughter and to identify animals that require a more extensive postmortem examination. It is the first line of defense in protecting the public from potentially harmful meat products. Those animals that exhibit abnormal signs must be withheld from normal slaughter and segregated for closer examination. 2. Authority The authority for conducting ante-mortem inspection rests within the Veterinary Inspectors assigned to each export abattoir by the Animal and Plant Health Regulatory Department (APHRD) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Therefore, APHRD is required to assign Veterinary Inspectors at each export abattoir. Veterinary Inspectors are authorized to examine and inspect livestock prior to slaughter. She/he should make sure that animals are denied access to feed 12 hrs before slaughter. The Veterinary Inspectors are obliged to accept for slaughter only those animals which are capable of producing products that are acceptable for use as human food Veterinary inspectors should have the required training, knowledge, skills and ability to conduct ante-mortem inspection procedures. 3. Objective of ante-mortem inspection The purpose of ante-mortem inspection is to accept and allow for slaughter only those animals that are healthy, safe from harmful chemical and drug residues, and capable of being converted into wholesome product for the consumer. Ante-mortem inspection assessments of the Veterinary Inspector at are based on: The absence or presence and extent of any clinical signs of disease. The presence and extent of any conditions that may result in the rejection of the carcass or its parts as a source of human food. The presence of excitement or disturbed activity. The presence of any disability. The treatment or exposure of the animals to drugs, chemicals, biological substances or radioactive materials. The extent of soilage 1
4. Export abattoir responsibilities for facilities and conditions Veterinary Inspectors are responsible for verifying that the establishment has met the regulatory requirements for maintaining the facilities where ante-mortem inspection is to be conducted. As a result, The pens must be satisfactory for conducting ante-mortem inspection, and maintained in a sanitary condition. Pens must be kept clean and be well drained. The pens, driveways, and ramps must be maintained in good repair and free from sharp objects that may cause injury or pain to animals. The floors of pens, driveways, and ramps must be well constructed and maintained and provide good footing for animals. The lighting must be sufficient for inspection. (Abattoir Construction Guideline specifies level of light that the establishment is required to provide). However, restraining devices, inspection areas and suspect pens require more light because these are places where animals are more closely examined during inspection. The establishment must provide adequate areas for holding animals that are identified by the Veterinary Inspector as suspect and condemned. These are typically designated as the Suspect and Condemned pens. All export abattoirs should also provide a restraining device such as a chute or squeeze gate for restraining animals and taking temperatures during the examination of animals. All animals presented for ante-mortem inspection must have an adequate system for identification. Animals must be accompanied by a proper documentation (e.g. animal health/movement certificates, animal transportation, etc) and these must be presented to the Veterinary Inspector before ante- mortem inspection is performed. The purpose of these documents is to account for all animals in the pen prior to ante-mortem inspection and to ensure that every animal that comes to slaughter has the required health and welfare documentations for conducting ante-mortem inspection. More importantly, the information to be obtained from these documents will be used as an integral component of a risk based inspection system for incorporating relevant information while inspecting each animal, e.g. geographical region and origin of animals. In the absence of a risk-based system, procedures should be based on current scientific knowledge and practice. Each establishment should be able to identify the animal with the carcass and parts from which they come and that the establishment maintains these records. Tags are typically used to relate the identity of animals with the carcass and its parts. Alternatively, offal can be inspected while it is intact to the carcass. The establishment should prepare pen card for recording date and time of reception of animals, pen number, species, breed and total number of animals in the pen. The card should be signed by the attendant of the animals and the inspector should check that the information is correct. The abattoir management should provide trained employees to move, segregate, restrain, 2
identify and dispose off animals. The Veterinary Inspectors must closely monitor abattoir personnel to assure that they use humane animal handling practices at all times. The Veterinary Inspectors should have a copy of the human handling guideline. The Veterinary Inspectors must also follow good safety practices while inspecting animals, since large animals can be very dangerous. If the abattoir has not met one or more of its responsibilities, the Veterinary Inspector must take action. The action that may be taken may vary from withholding inspection of a single pen of animals until the pen is properly identified, or to withholding inspection of all animal pens because the abattoir has failed to provide adequate documentations and employees to move and restrain the animals. 5. Supplies for performing ante-mortem inspection Ante-mortem inspection of livestock should take place in pens and each animal must be observed and its status recorded. The records should be part of the procedures used to identify animals as having received ante-mortem inspection. The following equipment and supplies are recommended for performing ante-mortem inspection in slaughter animals. All inspection items and documentations should be kept together under lock and key in the ante-mortem inspection area or in the Veterinary Inspector s office. Ante-mortem inspection format (for recording ante-mortem inspection findings). Thermometer, Bull rings, Pen/pencil, pad of paper and clipboard (for writing and taking any other notes), Suspect and Condemned tags. Tagging Pliers (these are used to attach the suspect and condemn tags to the animal's ear). Reject/Retain tag (to be attached to areas of livestock pens to show that they are rejected because they didn't meet requirements and therefore did not pass inspection). 6. Ante-mortem inspection methodology Ante-mortem inspection should take place within 24 hours of arrival of animals at the slaughterhouse and less than 24 hours before they are slaughtered. If ante-mortem inspection has occurred and there is a delay of more than 24 hours before slaughter, ante-mortem inspection should be repeated. Such ante-mortem inspection shall be made in pens on the premises of the establishment at which the livestock are offered for slaughter. Only animals that are judged to be sufficiently rested should proceed to slaughter, but should not be withheld from slaughter any longer than necessary. Ante-mortem inspection should commence by observing animals while they are unloaded. At this time, the Veterinary Inspector must verify that the animals: do not have dirty hide, skin or fleece conditions which cause risk of contamination of the meat. are properly identified. are accompanied by the relevant information from the holding/fattening areas. 3
are healthy, as far as the Veterinary Inspector can judge. are in a satisfactory state as regards to welfare. Ante-mortem inspection should support post-mortem inspection by application of a specific range of procedures and/or tests that consider the behavior, demeanor and appearance, as well as signs of disease in the live animal. Ante-mortem inspection consists of two parts: observation of animals at rest and in motion. It is important to inspect animals both at rest and in motion because certain abnormal signs such as labored breathing are easier to detect while the animals are at rest; whilst other abnormalities, such as lameness, may not be detected until the Veterinary Inspector observes the animals in motion. 6.1. Observation at rest When performing at-rest inspection, the Veterinary Inspector must position her/himself at various locations outside the pen. The Veterinary Inspector must observe all animals and note their general behavior while they are at rest. She/he should determine if any of the animals show abnormal behavioral patterns such as excessive excitability or severe depression. She/he should look at the heads, necks, sides, rumps, and legs of as many animals as possible and she/he should make a note of any abnormalities. 6.2. Observation in motion When performing in-motion inspection of animals, the Veterinary Inspector should position her/himself outside the pen next to the open gate so that she/he can easily view the animals as they are driven by her/him. She/he should direct the establishment employee to move all animals slowly and individually out of the pen and then back and forth, while she/he observes each animal for abnormalities by viewing the head, neck, shoulder, flank, legs, and rump. If the pen size permits, she/he should position her/himself inside the pen and direct the establishment employee to move the animals past her/him both ways in the pen. She/he should do this only if it is safe. In general, it is only safe to position oneself inside the pen when inspecting small livestock such as sheep, goats and calves. Cattle can be surprisingly fast and agile, particularly when agitated or startled. o The Veterinary Inspector should never go into a pen of large livestock. This is especially true of a pen with a bull. o The Veterinary Inspector should not make the mistake of performing in-motion inspection immediately behind a loose, swinging gate. As the animals are driven out of the pen, they could push against the swinging gate and force it against her/him. o The Veterinary Inspector should not position her/himself in a corner or in a place 4
that allows no escape to safety should an animal turns aggressive. o The Veterinary Inspector should not climb on high, unstable fences to view the animals during ante-mortem inspection. o When conducting ante-mortem inspection, the Veterinary Inspector should use safety helmet. 7. Ante-mortem dispositions There are three possible outcomes, or dispositions, that follow ante-mortem inspection: Passed for Slaughter, Suspect and Condemned. 7.1. Passed for Slaughter After completing ante-mortem inspection and properly recording the results, the Veterinary Inspector should take action based on her/his findings. The Veterinary Inspector should allow the animals that she/he has concluded to be free of the diseases and conditions described in this guideline and therefore fit for human food, to be released for slaughter. She/he should certify to the establishment by signing and dating the time of ante-mortem inspection on the ante-mortem inspection format. After inspecting animals, she/he should sign the format and write the time the animals received inspection. Signing the format indicates that the animals have received antemortem inspection and are ready for slaughter. The ante-mortem inspection format should be delivered to the postmortem Veterinary Inspector prior to or at the time the animals are driven inside the establishment for slaughter. The postmortem Veterinary Inspector should collect all of the ante-mortem inspection formats and compare the number of animals recorded on the formats with the number of animals being slaughtered. This is done to determine if all animals being slaughtered have received ante-mortem inspection. 7.2. Suspect Some of the animals may exhibit signs that cause the Veterinary Inspector to question whether the animal is affected by a disease or condition described in this guideline. At this time, The Veterinary Inspector should direct the establishment to place a Suspect tag in the animal s ear and segregate those animals with abnormal signs into the suspect pen for further observation by the Senior Veterinary Inspector. This guideline covers some signs that will cause the Veterinary Inspector to suspect animals of diseases and conditions. When animals are placed in the suspect pen, they must be accompanied by ante-mortem inspection format. After further examination of an animal in the suspect pen, the Veterinary Inspector should determine that the animal is not fit for human food according to the guideline and that it must be condemned. Alternately, the Veterinary Inspector may determine that the 5
suspect animal is normal or that the abnormal signs she/he observed are not severe enough to have the animal suspected or condemned. At this time, the animal should be released for slaughter. If the abattoir employee moves this animal out of the suspect pen and into a different pen, the Veterinary Inspector should make sure that she/he makes the necessary changes on the ante-mortem inspection format. The Veterinary Inspector can also have the suspect animal slaughtered separately and conduct a thorough postmortem examination by the Senior Veterinary Inspector. If the condition can be treated, the abattoir may receive permission to hold the animal for treatment in an effort to improve the animal's condition to the point that it may become eligible for slaughter. 7.3. Condemned o The identity of the animal must be maintained throughout the treatment period. o The animal must be placed in a separate pen and the ante-mortem inspection format must be changed. o The Veterinary Inspector should cross out the word, "Slaughter," and write in the phrase "Held for Treatment" in the appropriate space. o Following the treatment, the veterinarian of the abattoir should follow up the animal and direct the Veterinary Inspector as to what action to take. An animal that is condemned during ante-mortem inspection is not eligible for slaughter because it has been identified as having diseases or conditions specified in this guideline that make it unfit for human food. For example, dead, dying, disabled, or diseased livestock should be condemned. It is the responsibility of the Veterinary Inspector to identify the animal so that it is neither slaughtered nor used for human food. This is accomplished by placing a Condemned tag in the animal's ear. The ante-mortem inspection format must also be completed. The number of the Condemned tag to be placed in the animal's ear should be written in the space provided on the form. Any livestock that is condemned must have a Condemned tag placed in its ear and the Veterinary Inspector should ensure that the establishment disposes the condemned animal appropriately. Since the abattoir cannot slaughter a condemned animal nor use it for human food, the abattoir should promptly kill the animal and immediately dispose off the carcass. The abattoir should have its own disposal equipment and facilities. When a carcass is disposed off in this way, it is termed "On-Premises Rendering." Abattoirs that do not have their own disposal equipment and facilities should send the carcass to some other place. This is called "Off-Premises Disposal". If the Veterinary Inspector encounters a dead animal, she/he must make sure that there is an adequate control to prevent the animal from entering the slaughter process. She/he must take the following steps: 6
o Identify the animal as condemned with Suspect tag. o Fill out an ante-mortem inspection format and write the words "Dead in Pens" or "Dead on Arrival" in the "Tagged For" space. o Have the animal properly disposed off. If an animal is in pain or distress and the Veterinary Inspector is not present, the animal can be slaughtered immediately. Meat from animals that undergo this emergency slaughter may be used for human consumption providing: it passes post-mortem inspection performed personally by the Senior Veterinary Inspector and no serious lesions other than those due to the reason for slaughter are found. 8. General signs of diseases and conditions This section covers some general signs that indicate an animal may have a condition or disease which makes it unwholesome, adulterated, or unfit for human food. In general, these signs include body movement, body condition and signs on the body s surface. 8.1. Abnormal body movement Ante-mortem signs that indicate an animal may have a condition or disease referenced in this guideline can be associated with body movement and action, body position, condition, function, surfaces, discharges, and body odor. Some examples of the signs associated with body movement, action and position include: Lameness or limping: sometimes the cause of lameness is rather obvious; sometimes not. Stiffness and pain: lameness may be caused by arthritis in one or more joints. Central Nervous System (CNS) diseases: certain diseases such as rabies and listeriosis can affect the brain and CNS. The animal may appear extremely nervous or restless, excessively anxious or upset, or stagger or circle. Certain poisons and toxic residues that the animal has been exposed to may cause abnormal movement and action, such as staggering or circling. Depression or disinterest may be a sign that the animal is in a dying or moribund state. A moribund animal may not respond to noises or other stimuli. Animals in a moribund condition are not eligible for slaughter. An animal may be disoriented and run into things or butt its head against objects. Animals may scratch excessively or rub their hide against objects. Scratching and rubbing associated with hair loss may indicate that the animal has lice or mange infestation. Animals may have muscle tremors or shivering, hold their head to one side, or have any number of abnormal gaits. Animals may strain and assume abnormal body positions. For example, urinary or respiratory or intestinal disorders may cause straining and abnormal positions such as arching of the back, tucking in of the abdomen (stomach), and extending the neck and tail. An animal may have difficulty in rising or be unable to get up at all. These "downers" 7
may be down for a variety of reasons ranging from an injury to severe illness or depression. All "downers" must be examined by the Veterinary Inspector. 8.2. Abnormal body condition The Veterinary Inspector may see animals with signs associated with abnormal body condition. Examples of abnormal body condition include: Animals that are extremely thin and weak: The Veterinary Inspector may see animals that are thin and weak due to chronic disease problems such as pericarditis, pneumonia, nephritis, etc. Animals that are in very poor condition and exhibit other signs such as depression, lethargy, respiratory difficulty, etc., should be placed in the suspect pen. Remember, though, that animals can be normally thin. So thinness alone may not be an abnormal sign. For example, some under-fed animals may be very thin, but they may be bright and alert, have a good appetite, and show no other abnormal signs. These animals should not be placed in the suspect pen. However, some animals may be weak, thin, and dehydrated. They may be uncoordinated or barely able to stand. These animals should be placed in the suspect pen. Abnormal signs associated with body functions include respiratory distress such as labored or rapid breathing. These signs are commonly seen in animals with lung disorders such as pneumonia. Coughing and sneezing are other signs associated with pneumonia and other respiratory disorders. Animals may exhibit pain. Pain may be manifested by signs such as groaning, grunting, or grinding of teeth. The Veterinary Inspector may also see animals that have difficulty drinking and swallowing or appear to be blind. All of these signs are abnormal and may be associated with a great variety of diseases. 8.3. Abnormal signs on the body s surface There are a great number of abnormal signs associated with body surfaces. Injuries and fractures are included in this group. When observing animals, the Veterinary Inspector should be on the alert for abnormal growths, swellings and enlargements such as lymphadenitis. Abnormalities of the skin and mucus membranes will be observed while performing antemortem inspection. Animals may exhibit a variety of skin lesions including papillomas (warts). They may have a roughened, dry, or dehydrated hair coat or large patches of hair missing. The Veterinary Inspector should be on the lookout for superficial ulcers, sores, blisters or vesicles, particularly around the feet or around the mouth. There are several diseases that may cause these signs, including the dreaded foot-and-mouth disease, which is a reportable disease. The color of exposed membranes of the body, such as the gums or the eyes, may be an indication of a disease condition. The membranes may appear reddened, or very pale, or may have a yellowish color to them. While observing body surfaces, the Veterinary Inspector should be on the lookout for injection sites. Abnormal swelling, especially in the round or neck areas, could be an 8
indication that animal was recently given an injection. Approved drugs have a very specific withdrawal period prior to slaughter that, if not followed, can result in potentially harmful residues in the muscle tissue. If the Veterinary Inspector observes an injection site on an animal, she/he must make it a suspect and send samples (if required) to determine if residues are present in the tissues. Animals may also show signs of abnormal body discharges or abnormal odors. Abnormal discharges can include excessive salivation, diarrhea, blood, and pus. Along with a thorough visual examination of animals, the Veterinary Inspector s sense of smell is a very important aspect of performing ante-mortem inspection. For example, an animal may have a prolapsed rectum that has become infected and results in a strong, foul odor. At times when looking at a large pen of animals, the Veterinary Inspector may not at first see a wound or prolapse, but she/he may detect the characteristic odor that will alert her/him to look more closely at the animals. When examining suspect livestock, the Veterinary Inspector should take the temperature of animal. The following table shows the range of normal body temperatures, as well as the condemnation temperatures, for the various species of animals. It also includes certain temperature at which the Veterinary Inspector must condemn the animal. Table 1. Normal animal temperature ranges (degree Celsius) Cattle Sheep and goats Maximum 39 40 Average 38 39 Minimum 37 38 Veterinary Inspector condemns on ante-mortem, if temperature is 40 40 9
Annex 1. Ante-mortem inspection process Disposition Verify abattoir responsibilities Facilities (good repair, properly arranged Suspect pen (isolated) Identification of animals Lighting (adequate) Adequate number of employees Water available at all times Observe: At rest Various locations Behavior Abnormalities In motion For signs of disease in the guideline Wholesome Question Pass for slaughter Suspect Tag Suspect pen Examination-Pass Body position Body condition Swelling Lesions, etc. Unwholesome Adulterated Examination Suspect Slaughter separately Ante-mortem inspection format Examination Condemn Change # on format Dead in Suspect Pen Permit abattoir to treat Holding pens Condemn Dead, dying, diseased, disabled, TAG Humanely killed Ensure proper disposition - off premise rendering - on premise rendering 10
Annex 2. Ante-mortem inspection format As indicated earlier, when the Veterinary Inspector performs the ante-mortem inspection procedure, she/he should observe each animal for abnormal signs and record the signs on the ante-mortem inspection format. The format has two sections. The upper section contains most of the information that identifies the animal, such as the kind of animal, sex of the animal, and the animal's approximate weight. Under the "kind of animal" section, terms like Boran, Zebu, Abergele, Menz, etc., should be used. When the Veterinary Inspector is using a single antemortem inspection format to identify more than one animal, she/he should indicate the number in the section "kind of animal", e.g. 20 Boran, 15 Zebu, etc. Also she/he should record all ear tag numbers for each animal. The lower section, the postmortem report, will be completed by the veterinarian responsible for postmortem inspection. The ante-mortem inspection format contains the following sections. Slaughter at establishment - Indicate the official establishment name and number where the animal is to be slaughtered. Condemned or suspect tag When the Veterinary Inspector applies the Suspect tag, she/he should enter the number of the tag here and cross out the word "Condemned'. Sex The Veterinary Inspector should use terms like bull, shoat, camel, etc. Tagged for The Veterinary Inspector indicates the condition for which the animal is tagged (e.g., actinobacillosis, epithelioma, downer, pneumonia, broken leg, etc). If she/he feels that it is necessary to add more information, she/he should use a phrase like "see back of form" and then write the information on the back of the form. Temperature The Veterinary Inspector should indicate the temperature in degrees Celsius. She/he must take the temperature of all downers and all animals exhibiting signs of abnormality. Weight - Estimate the animal's weight in Kilo grams. Remarks - The Veterinary Inspector should complete the remarks section after deciding the antemortem disposition and then sign and date the format. 11
Annex 3. List of disease or conditions Livestock having any of the following diseases, symptoms or states, and interpreted as suspected shall be detained according to the instructions of Veterinary Inspector. Unless and other wise stated, animals with the following diseases and conditions should be Condemned. Foot-and-mouth disease Rift Valley fever LSD CBPP CCPP PPR Anthrax Blackquarter (quarter evil) Sheep and Goat Pox Polyarthritis. Severe caseous lymphadenitis of sheep and goat. Sheep scabies. Hemorrhagic septicemia Systemic or extensive actinomycosis or actinobacillosis. Tryanosomiasis. Rabies Redwater or Babesiosis, acute and clinical Anaplasmosis (acute or with icterus) Anaemia, advanced Cachexia Fever Icterus Ketosis (advanced) Leukaemia Moribund state Pyaemia Salmonellosis Septicaemia Tetanus Theileriosis (acute and clinical) Toxaemia Uraemia Residues (antibiotic, chemical biological, if present in greater amounts than allowed by legislation) Any other disease, symptom or state designated by the Competent Authorities. 12
References FAO, 2004. Good Practices for the Meat Industry. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy. National Department of Agriculture, 2000. Meat Inspectors Manual Red Meat. Private BagX138, Pretoria, 0001 Republic of South Africa. NZFSA, 2006. Animal Products (Ante-mortem and Post-mortem Examination of Mammals, Ostriches and Emu Intended for Human Consumption) Notice 2006. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (New Zealand Food Safety Authority) Wellington. USDA, 1998. Special Survey on Humane Slaughter and Ante-Mortem Inspection. Food Safety and Inspection Service. Technical Service Center, Omaha, NE. 13