Meat+Poultry - July 2017 - 92

FROM THE CORRAL

Sensible research
The Humane Slaughter Act requires
that animals be rendered insensible
to pain by a single blow or gunshot
or an electrical, chemical or other
method that is rapid and effective. The
requirement is that the animal is not
able to feel pain after stunning. Recent
research using electroencephalography
(EEG) brain waves indicates there are
definite indicators when an animal is
fully sensible and able to feel pain and
other indicators that it is unconscious
and brain dead.
A review of the literature of
studies conducted in slaughter plants
supports the concept of a transition
zone between consciousness and
unconsciousness (Terlouw et al.,
2016ab). This is especially true when
animals are bled without stunning
(Verhoeven et al., 2016a). EEG studies
show that a corneal reflex in response
to touching the surface of the eyeball
can occur in unconscious animals
(Verhoeven et al., 2016c). To clarify
assessment of unconsciousness and
consciousness it is recommended
to separate the signs of a definitely
conscious animal from signs of
unconsciousness or death. Any one of
the following six indicators is a sign
that the animal is definitely conscious
(Terlouw et al., 2016b):

1. Standing posture
prevent return to consciousness and
2. Head or body righting reflex
prevent a violation of the Humane
3. Voluntary vocalization
Slaughter Act.
4. Spontaneous blinking (no
On large animals, such as cattle,
touching). Do not confuse with
the corneal reflex can be assessed by
nystagmus (vibrating eye).
using a finger to touch the eyeball. On
5. Eye pursuit
small animals, such as pigs or sheep,
6. Response to threat or menace
do not use a finger to assess
test (no touching). Hand waved in
the corneal reflex. Poking
front of the eye. Do not confuse
with a finger may push
with nystagmus.
the eyelid shut and
Rapid re-stunning
will prevent return
To ensure an animal is
cause it to get glued
to consciousness and
unconscious and brain dead,
shut with mucous.
prevent a violation
before carcass disposal or
When the mucous
of the Humane
invasive dressing procedures
loosens, the eye may
Slaughter Act.
at a slaughter plant, all three of
suddenly pop open
the following indicators must be
and be misinterpreted
absent: (Only when all three of these
as a blink. Use the tip
indicators are absent is the animal
of a pen or other small blunt object
definitely unconscious.)
to touch the surface of the eye of
1. Absence of corneal reflex (touch
pigs, sheep, and other small animals.
the eyeball surface)
Spontaneous blinking or response
2. Absence of eyelash reflex
to the menace reflex must have the
(response to touch)
full cycle of opening and closing of
3. Absence of rhythmic breathing
the eye. It should look like natural
(Terlouw et al., 2016b)
blinking of a live animal in the lairage.
The animal is in the "transition
T E M P L E G R A N D I N | m e a t p o u l t r y @ s o s l a n d .c o m
zone" between consciousness and
unconscious if one or more of the
following signs is present:
1. Eyelash reflex (response of
eyelash to touch)
2. Rhythmic breathing (Terlouw et
al., 2016ab)
3. Corneal reflex
If any of these indicators
are apparent, re-stun the animal
immediately. Rapid re-stunning will

92

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Left: Rosalie Winard, right: © vishalgokulwale - stock.adobe.com

A review of the literature of studies
conducted in slaughter plants supports
the concept of a transition zone between
consciousness and unconsciousness.
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Meat+Poultry - July 2017

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