Meat inspection and animal welfare practices: Evidences from north-western Himalayan region, India

Abstract

Aim: The present study was conducted to assess the animal welfare measures for safe and wholesome meat production as well to understand different roles performed by delegated institutions in ensuring quality meat production. Materials and Methods: Semi-structured interview schedule was administered to 40 butchers and 40 veterinary officers of state department of animal husbandry, Himachal Pradesh. Result: It was found that open slaughtering was common (87.50%), animals did not have sufficient water provisions and often the lairage premises were devoid of adequate light thereby making ante-mortem and post mortem inspection difficult. Off feeding, offering potable water to animals before slaughtering was also less followed practice. Therefore, many a times the welfare of animals was not taken into consideration. Regular meat inspection was performed as an additional duty, by few (22.50%) veterinarians only. It was found that veterinarian's role was restricted to meat inspection only. The issue of license for slaughtering activities was the responsibility of district administration/municipal bodies. Conclusion: The study recommends appropriate legislations for greater role of veterinarians so as to promote quality meat hygienic practices thereby promoting animal and human welfare.

Food-Safety Hazards in the Pork Chain in Nagaland, North East India: Implications for Human Health

“…Our observations and questionnaires identified the slaughter places as an important source of contamination with faeces because of processing on the floor, lack of adequate water and waste disposal, and poor practices by slaughterhouse workers. Similar problems are seen in many parts of India, where slaughter is often without running water or basic separation into a dirty and a clean compartment [31]. Substantial investments in infrastructure are often needed to assure food safety, but funding is rarely available.…”

Changes in the seroprevalence of cysticercosis in suspected patients in Chandigarh, India between 1998 and 2014: analysis of 17 years of data

“…Although meat inspection is mandatory in India, it is clear that in some areas it is carried out in a somewhat desultory manner (e.g. [14]) – and it is of probable relevance that a ranking exercise among a group of biomedical students in Chandigarh revealed that the profession of veterinarian is considered to be of very low status [15]. However, even if conducted carefully, routine carcass inspection is likely to miss light infections [16].…”

Assessment of Veterinary Inspection Practices on Quality of Beef Produced In Ibarapa Central Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

“…Beef is however poorly handled right from slaughtering, transportation and trading of the meat. Poor handling and inspection of beef produced is one of the most important causes of human deaths worldwide as a result of contaminants [2]. Many of the recent zoonotic infections have originated from animal or from products of animal origin [2].…”

“…Poor handling and inspection of beef produced is one of the most important causes of human deaths worldwide as a result of contaminants [2]. Many of the recent zoonotic infections have originated from animal or from products of animal origin [2]. Beef contains sufficient nutrients needed to support the growth of micro-organisms [3].…”

“…Beef contains sufficient nutrients needed to support the growth of micro-organisms [3]. Poor abattoir hygiene and sanitation measures and absence of surveillance network on meat borne diseases also contributes to risks associated with meat borne zoonoses [2]. High rainfall pattern and humidity in Southwest Nigeria facilitate rapid microbial growth in beef, deterioration and meat borne diseases.…”