effect of periharvest handling on welfare status of slaughter pigs and intrinsic pork quality. review of recent findings

There is a growing concern of consumers that the meat producing animals are bred, reared, handled and slaughtered in ways that are sympathetic to their welfare status. Good animal welfare is generally considered as a primary requirement and EU and national legislation is in force throughout the total production chain and everyday practice is above the minimum threshold level required. The relative importance of stress during animal production and in the immediate pre-slaughter period as a major determinant of ultimate meat quality has long been recognized. Good welfare may result in better product quality is a powerful additional commercial incentive to improve the way we rear, handle and slaughter animals. In the ante mortem period, good welfare usually results from careful handling of animals that reduces stress and trauma. In contrast, poor ante mortem handling leads to stress and results in poorer meat quality. Critical points within the pre-slaughter period are (a) loading, (b) transport, (c) lairage, (d) stunning.