EVALUATION OF ANIMAL SLAUGHTER PRACTICES IN AWKA
Table
of contents
Objectives
Chapter one
1.0: Introduction
1.1 :Definition of animal
1.2: Definition of animal slaughter practices
1.3: Methods of killing animals
Chapter two
2.0: Animal welfare practices
2.1: Definition of animal welfare practices
2.2: Animal welfare principles
2.3 : Challenges encountered in animal welfare management
Chapter three
3.0: Economic importance of farm animals
3.1: Definition of farm
3.2: Definition of farm animals
3.3: Uses of farm animals
3.4: Animal husbandry
3.5: Economic importance of farm animals
References
OBJECTIVES OF THE EVALUATION
OF ANIMAL SLAUGHTER PRACTICES IN AWKA
·
To
to gather availabe data relating to animals slaughtered for religious purposes
(either stunned or not stunned),the incidence and scale of practices.the
inquiries and investigations will focus on awka.
·
Identify
the procedures of the current methods of
religiou and non-religious slaughter. The focus will be on handling restraint
methods,neck cutting/exexsanquination/slaughter techniques and post cut
handling (e.g severance of spinal cord). The benchmarking will be carried out
in the same town as the previous objectives.
·
To
provide recommendation for optimum religious and non-religious slaughter
practices inorder to improve animal welfare during slaughter.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1: DEFINITION OF ANIMAL
Animal is a living organism
which feeds on organic matter, typically having specialised sense organs and
nervous system and able to respond rapidly to stimuli.animals are
multicellular,eukaryotic organisms of the kingdom animalia (also known as
metazoa).
1.1.1: CLASSIFICATION OF ANIMALS
Animals can be classsified
into vertebrata and invertebrata.the vertebrata are further classified into
mammalia,reptilia,pisces, aves and
amphibians.my research will practically be on all animals that produce meat for
man
·
Vertebrata
·
Invertebrata.
vertebrata can be further classified into:
·
Mammalia
·
Reptilia
·
Pisces
·
Amphibians
·
Aves
1.2: DEFINITION OF ANIMAL
SLAUGHTER PRACTICES
Slaughter practices are those
modes of killing an animal, it could be either by instantly killing an animal
or rendering the animal insensible to pain until death supervenes. this means
they must be stunned prior to bleeding out so they become unconscious.
·
All
methods of humane killing including slaughter and on- farm euthanasia must meet
the same criteria.
·
Death
of an animal without panic or distress
·
Instant
unconsciousness followed by rapid death without regaining consciousness
·
Reliability
for both single or large numbers of animals
·
Simplicity
and minimal maintenance
·
Minimal
detrimental impact on operators or observers
A high level of
operator skill is important for the humane killing of animals.
Operators must be trained in:
·
Animal
handling.
·
Selection
of the best killing method.
·
Proper
maintenance of equipment.
·
Correct
application of the killing method.
SOME PROCEDURES OF HUMANE SLAUGHTER REGULARLY USED
INCLUDE:
The methods of
killing will vary according to species and circumstances at the time.
Ø
Operated
instruments,such as captive-bolt pistols followed by bleeding out
Ø
Instrument
for stunning by electric current followed by bleeding out
Ø
The
use of gas followed by bleeding out
Humane killing
on the farm is often carried out using a rifle and depending on the species
will be done using one of the following postions:
1.3.1: FONTAL
METHOD
The firearm is
directed at a point midway across the fore head where two lines from the top
side of the base of the ears and top of the eyes intersect.the line of fire
should be aimed horizontally into the skull towards the center of the brain or
spinal cord.
1.3.2: POLL
METHOD (FOR HORNED ANIMALS)
The animal is
shot through the skull just behind the base of the horns.the line of fire
should be in line with the animals muzzle.
1.3.3: TEMPORAL
METHOD
The firearm is
directed at a point midway between the eye and the base of the ear on the same
side of the head.the projectile should be directed horizontally into the skull
v
NB: Killing methods should only be used if they
have been declared humane by recognised expert authorities and they meet the
basic criteria (above).
CHAPTER TWO
2.0: ANIMAL WELFARE PRACTICES
2.1: DEFINITION OF ANIMAL WELFARE PRACTICES
Animal welfare practices are
those actions that ensures the well being of the animals . the 5-step animal welfare rating standards
includes
·
Step1:
Animal live their lives with space to move around and stretch their legs( i.e
no crates,no cages,no crowding)
·
Step2:
Animals are provided with enrichments thats encourage behaviours that’s natural
to them – like a bale of straw for chickens to peck at a bowling ball for pigs
to shove around or a sturdy object for cattle to rub against (enriched
environment)
·
Step3:
Pigs,chickens and turkeys might live in buildings but they all have access to
outdoor areas(enchanted oudoor access)
·
Step4:
When living outdoor chickens and turkeys get to forage , pigs get to wallow and
cattle get to roam(pasture centered)
·
Step5:
Animals raised to step 5 standard must be born and live their entire lives on
one farm.At step 5,the well-being of the animals is the primary focus; efficiency
and economy are secondary.
2.2: ANIMAL WELFARE PRINCIPLES
There are eight
principles for developing and evaluating animal welfare policies
I.
The
responsible use of animals for human purposes,such as
companionship,food,fiber,recreation,work,education,exhibition,and research
conducted for the ben0efit of both humans and animals.
II.
Decisions
regarding animal care,use and welfare shall be made by balancing scientific
knowledge and professional judgement with consideration of ethical and societal
values.
III.
Animals
must be provided water,food,proper handling,health care,and an environment
appropriate to their care and use,with thoughtful consideration for their
species,typical biology and behaviour.
IV.
Animals
should be cared for in ways that minimize fear,pain,stress and suffering.
V.
Procedures
related to animal housing,management,care and use should be continously
evaluated and when indicated,refined or replaced.
VI.
Conservation
and management of animal populations should be humane socially responsible and
scientifically prudent.
VII.
Animals
should be treated with respect and dignity through out their lives and, when
necessary provided a humane death.
VIII.
The
veterinary profession shall continually strive to improve animal health and
welfare through scientific research,education,collaboration,advocacy,and the
development of legislation and regulations.
2.3: CHALLENGES IN ANIMAL WELFARE MANAGEMENT
The welfare of animals is
often very poor in developing countries.the equipment used for ploughing and
for harnessing animals to transport vehicles is often badly designed and
inflict heavy stress, physical strain and pain on the animals.
CHAPTER THREE
3.0: ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF FARM ANIMALS
3.1: DEFINITION OF FARM
I.
It
is a tract of land cultivated for the purpose of agricultural production.
II.
A
tract of land devoted to the raising and breeding of domestic animals.
III.
An
area of water devoted to the raising,breeding,or production of a specific
aquatic animal,a trout farm;an oyster farm.
3.2: DEFINITION OF FARM ANIMALS
They animals used for the
production of humane and animal food and feed,fiber,skin and hide,and to the
extent that they are used in hauling of freight and for transport. Farm animals
means any specie of cattle, sheep, swine,
goats, ilamas or horses, which are normally, and have historically been kept
and raised on farms and used or intended for use as food or fiber, or for improving
animal nutrition, breeding, management or production efficiency, or for
improving the quality of food and fiber.This term also includes animals such as
rabbits, mink, and chinchilla, when they are used solely for the purpose of
meat or fur,and animals such as horse and ilamas when used solely as work and
pack animals.
3.3: USES OF FARM ANIMALS
Farms animals have various important
uses which includes the following:
·
To
provide a steady food supply.
·
To
creat jobs,especially for women.
·
To
provide transportation.
·
To
do agricultural work.
·
To
provide raw materials for clothing.
·
To
provide manure for agriculture.
·
To
provide fuel for energy.
·
To
earn foreign currency by export.
3.4: DEFINITION OF ANIMAL
HUSBANDRY
It is a branch of
agriculture concerned with the care and breeding of domestic animals or farm
animals such as cattle, hogs, sheep and horses.
3.5: ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF FARM ANIMALS
Livestock plays an important
role in the agricultural production sphere. Statistics also show that 6.5% of national GDP is covered by the
livestock sector, and its annual rate of productivity is 9%.About 20% of the
population of Nigeria earn their livelihood through work associated with
raising cattle and poutry. Draught power for tilling the land, the use of cow
dung for manure and fuel, and animal power for transportation make up about 15%
of the GDP.
In addition hides and skins,
bones, offals, feathers etc help in earning foreign exchange. Livestock
resources also play an important role in the sustenance of landless people.
