Abattoir Practices and Animal Products Technology

ANTE-MORTEM INSPECTION PROCEDURE

• Livestock should be inspected while at rest and in motion.
• In case of sick or diseased animals and those in poor conditions, the species, class, age, condition, colour and marking are recorded.
• Special attention must be paid to casualty and emergency slaughter, none of which should escape ante-mortem.
• The general behavior of the animals, their level of nutrition, cleanliness obvious signs of disease and any abnormalities should be observed.
• In addition to the segregation of diseased and suspected stock, females in estrus, aggressive animals and horned and polled stock should be isolated.
• An effective reporting system should operate from the ante-mortem area giving details of normal stock released for slaughter as well as those affected with a localized condition or one not advanced enough to render them unfit for slaughter.
• Animals showing signs of systematic disturbance and an elevated temperature should not be slaughtered but retained for treatment preferably outside the meat plant.
• The immediate purpose of ante-mortem inspection is to separate normal and abnormal stock.
• Normal animals are sent forward for slaughter, abnormal animals being classified as either unfit for slaughter or affected with a localized condition or one which will show post-mortem lesions.

Stock unfit for slaughter

• These includes emaciated animals, those affected with certain diseases, such as tetanus or a communicable disease, e.g. rabies and those know to be carrying toxic residues, although these may be held until the residues are excreted.

Localized conditions

• Animals showing evidence of localized condition such as injuries, fractures, abscesses benign tumors (e.g. papillomata) or condition which will show up lesions on post-mortem inspection need to be segregated and given a detailed examination such animals are passed forward for slaughter as part of the regular kill if the condition proves to be a minor one or slaughtered separately and given a through post-mortem examination.

Suspect

• Suspect animals sent for slaughter must be clearly marked and accompanied by a full veterinary report not only for the information of the meat inspection staff but also to inform operatives in lairage and slaughter line of the existence of any communicable diseases.
• Ante-mortem signs, post-mortem findings and the results of any laboratory tests are all considered in making final judgment on the carcass and offal.
• Recumbent animals should be given special attention, the nature and extent of the disease involved will determine subsequent, action i.e. immediate condemnation, passing for immediate slaughter or holding for further examination.
• In the handling slaughter and carcass dressing of animals, which may represent a source of infection to plant, staff should be handled with the greatest care. 
• Such animals should be handled separately from normal stock; staff should wash hands and arms frequently; avoid cuts and contaminating of the eyes with body fluids, etc.