Legal requirement

all animals slaughtered for human consumption must receive AMI

usually done by OFficial Veternarian

to determine whether: 

1. There is any condition which could adversely affect human or animal health

2. Welfare has been compromised

3. Animals are correctly identified to be slaughtered for human consumption

3. Data on the FCI are matching with the animal

4. There is any special precautions required at slaughter

5. necessary sampling for drug residues

6. FBO is complying with his duties

Advantages of AMI 

- segregation of normal/abnormal stock

- Assists PM inspection

- assists evaluation of disease ex. degree of toxaemia in acute septic metrititis, some diseases have no PM findings

- allows prompt action if injured

- contact with lairage staff

- monitoring welfare

- assessment of cleanliness

- ID of animals suspected of substance admin- injection sites, pour ons

- ID of fevered animals

- zoonosis detection- can warn slaughterhouse workers of risk

- notifiable disease detection

- diagnostic info not available

- short time in lairage

- time/cost factors prevents full investigation

- FCI( food chain information) not always helpful 

- at present time, little or no feedback to farmer

- increased liaisons with primary producers

- overhaul of system

- food chain information

- collection and communication of Results 

1. cleanliness of animals: are animals clean and dry enough

2. Identification

3. Accompanied by relevant information from holding- FCI

4. Not from areas under disease control_ unless permitted by authority

5. Healthy

6. good welfare state

7. Must only accept live animals into premises. A few exceptions: emergency slaughter, wild game

8. Lairage period

IF ANIMALS ARE DEAD ON ARRIVAL OR IN LAIRAGE, MUST BE DISPOSED OF AS ANIMAL BY-PRODUCT

9. Removal of live animals from slaughterhouse

- exception- wrong type of slaughterhouse, dirty

- must grant a license for any movement back to the farm of origin

- In Northern ireland, no animals can leave the slaughterhouse alive- Brucellosis

- NO PIGS CAN LEAVE A SLAUGHTERHOUSE ALVE- very susceptible to sudden death during transport- their heart isn't as good as coping with stress

- OV must carry out the ante-mortem inspection
- Meat hygeine inspection may assist the OV with some pre-slaughter checks

- Must be within 24 hours of animals arriving

- no more than 24  hours before slaughter

- anytime OV deems necessary 

- lighting

- space

- access

- crush ( not legal requirement)

- isolation pen

- cooperative lairage staff

- Equipment

- Best at unloading

- seen in motion and at rest

- general and ID behaviour

- GEneral condition and cleanliness

- focus on any disease/abnormality

- animal welfare

- pass as fit, or declares as suspect

 - OV defers slaughter of suspected animals

- must undergo detailed clinical exam to determine if fit for human consumption

- FBO must hold animals in isolation pending final OV decision

- Animals to have rest before slaughter if under stress ( usually no more than 24 hours)

- showing clinical signs of illness

- showing clinical signs of a disease transmissible to man or animals

- clinical signs of a disease likely to make meat unfit for human consumption

- showing fatigue and or stress- OV can enforce rest period

- Evidence/suspicion of illegal or unauthorised substance admin

can: 

- pass for slaughter for human consumption

- reject for slaughter for human consumption

IF rejected- animals will be killed in the lairage on welfare grounds and disposed of as animal by products 

- important to keep records

- FBO must be sure animals have been inspected by the OV: positive release system, pen-cards, if slaughtered without AMI-will be rejected

- important feedback of results

Farmer, as primary producers of food have to ensure that only clean and healthy animals are presented for slaughter 

however, if animal welfare is compromised, emergency slaughter on farm or in the lairage must be considered 

1. vet treatment

2. if animal fit to be transported: it can be sent to slaughter

3. If animal not fit to be transported: could consider Emergency slaughter and transport the body to abattoir for processing

4. Kill and dispose of as fallen stock 

1. An otherwise healthy animal that has suffered an accident that prevented its transport for welfare reasons- acute

2. fractious animal ( too wild to handle) 

3. Water Buffalo and Bison as their anatomy prevents approved stunning methods 

Animals suffering from chronic and or metabolic condition

- animals that following vet exam are unfit for human consumption

- animalys with drug withdrawal period not respected or treated with illegal drugs ( or horses treated with bute) 

- Cattle born in the uk before August 1st 1996. 

Is pithing allowed for animals going for human consumption

?

owner details

holding details

contact 

animal details: ID 

veterinary surgeon's declaration

reason for slaughter

any treatments admin

slaughterhouse to receive carcass

vet contact details

Time and date

Owner's agent's declaration

- drugs given in the last 6 mo. and withdrawal periods

- TB restrictions

- Brucellosis restrictions

- Zoonoses 

- Slaughtered and bled animals must be transported to the slaughterhouse hygeinically and without delay

- If the time between slaughtering and arrival at the slaughterhouse is more than 2 hours, then the carcass must be refrigerated

- Removal of stomach and intestines from emergency slaughtered animals is allowed, but must accompany the animal to the slaughterhouse and be ID

- the OV is present at time of delivery and will permit the dressing of the animal

when animals do not fall into any of the accepted categories and have been sent to  the abattoir

- OV to contact producers vet surgeon for clarification

PMI to be carried out by OV

OV can request any additional tests if required

- if no serious lesions, other than those due to the accident, then the carcase can be passed fit for human consumption