1
|
Huanca-Marca NF, Estévez-Moreno LX, Espinosa NL, Miranda-de la Lama GC. Assessment of pig welfare at slaughterhouse level: A systematic review of animal-based indicators suitable for inclusion in monitoring protocols. Meat Sci 2025; 220:109689. [PMID: 39504801 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2024.109689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 10/17/2024] [Accepted: 10/17/2024] [Indexed: 11/08/2024]
Abstract
Pig welfare constitutes a strategic pillar of sustainability within the pork industry. Consequently, there is a need to identify, develop and/or validate indicators for assessing pig wellbeing under commercial conditions. A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines identified 95 pig welfare indicators (PWIs) categorized into physiological, behavioral, health and post-mortem, and product quality. The review evaluated their validity and feasibility (V&F) for use in abattoirs to measure welfare during transport and slaughter. Thirty V&F indicators were found: one physiological (body temperature), 12 behavioral (human-animal relationship, aggression, falling, vocalization, slipping, panting, lying down, sitting, turning back), 13 health and post-mortem (presence of entry points, hernias, body lesions, ear lesions, tail lesions, pericarditis, pneumonia, bursitis, lameness, dead animals, walking and non-walking animals), and four product quality (pH, bruises, body condition, carcass weight). This information might help to identify the factors that affect the risk level of particular pig welfare problems, thereby aiding in the application of risk-based strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nancy F Huanca-Marca
- Department of Animal Production & Food Science, Agri-Food Institute of Aragon (IA2), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Laura X Estévez-Moreno
- Department of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Environment, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Natyieli Losada Espinosa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Genaro C Miranda-de la Lama
- Department of Animal Production & Food Science, Agri-Food Institute of Aragon (IA2), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhou X, Garcia-Morante B, Burrell A, Correia-Gomes C, Dieste-Pérez L, Eenink K, Segalés J, Sibila M, Siegrist M, Tobias T, Vilalta C, Bearth A. How do pig veterinarians view technology-assisted data utilisation for pig health and welfare management? A qualitative study in Spain, the Netherlands, and Ireland. Porcine Health Manag 2024; 10:40. [PMID: 39390537 PMCID: PMC11468428 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-024-00389-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 10/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Application of data-driven strategies may support veterinarians' decision-making, benefitting pig disease prevention and control. However, little is known about veterinarians' need for data utilisation to support their decision-making process. The current study used qualitative methods, specifically focus group discussions, to explore veterinarians' views on data utilisation and their need for data tools in relation to pig health and welfare management in Spain, the Netherlands, and Ireland. RESULTS Generally, veterinarians pointed out the potential benefits of using technology for pig health and welfare management, but data is not yet structurally available to support their decision-making. Veterinarians pointed out the challenge of collecting, recording, and accessing data in a consistent and timely manner. Besides, the reliability, standardisation, and the context of data were identified as important factors affecting the efficiency and effectiveness of data utilisation by veterinarians. A user-friendly, adaptable, and integrated data tool was regarded as potentially helpful for veterinarians' daily work and supporting their decision-making. Specifically, veterinarians, particularly independent veterinary practitioners, noted a need for easy access to pig information. Veterinarians such as those working for integrated companies, corporate veterinarians, and independent veterinary practitioners expressed their need for data tools that provide useful information to monitor pig health and welfare in real-time, to visualise the prevalence of endemic disease based on a shared report between farmers, veterinarians, and other professional parties, to support decision-making, and to receive early warnings for disease prevention and control. CONCLUSIONS It is concluded that the management of pig health and welfare may benefit from data utilisation if the quality of data can be assured, the data tools can meet veterinarians' needs for decision-making, and the collaboration of sharing data and using data between farmers, veterinarians, and other professional parties can be enhanced. Nevertheless, several notable technical and institutional barriers still exist, which need to be overcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Zhou
- Consumer Behaviour, Institute for Environmental Decisions, ETH Zürich, Universitätstrasse 22, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Beatriz Garcia-Morante
- IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
- WOAH Collaborating Centre for the Research and Control of Emerging and Re-Emerging Swine Diseases in Europe (IRTA-CReSA), 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Alison Burrell
- Animal Health Ireland, 2-5 The Archways, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim, N41 WN27, Ireland
| | - Carla Correia-Gomes
- Animal Health Ireland, 2-5 The Archways, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim, N41 WN27, Ireland
| | | | - Karlijn Eenink
- Royal GD, Arnsbergstraat 7, 7418 EZ, Deventer, The Netherlands
| | - Joaquim Segalés
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
- WOAH Collaborating Centre for the Research and Control of Emerging and Re-Emerging Swine Diseases in Europe (IRTA-CReSA), 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
- Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Marina Sibila
- IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
- WOAH Collaborating Centre for the Research and Control of Emerging and Re-Emerging Swine Diseases in Europe (IRTA-CReSA), 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Michael Siegrist
- Consumer Behaviour, Institute for Environmental Decisions, ETH Zürich, Universitätstrasse 22, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Tijs Tobias
- Royal GD, Arnsbergstraat 7, 7418 EZ, Deventer, The Netherlands
| | - Carles Vilalta
- IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
- WOAH Collaborating Centre for the Research and Control of Emerging and Re-Emerging Swine Diseases in Europe (IRTA-CReSA), 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Angela Bearth
- Consumer Behaviour, Institute for Environmental Decisions, ETH Zürich, Universitätstrasse 22, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pessoa J, McAloon C, Boyle L, García Manzanilla E, Norton T, Rodrigues da Costa M. Value of simplified lung lesions scoring systems to inform future codes for routine meat inspection in pigs. Porcine Health Manag 2023; 9:31. [PMID: 37391833 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-023-00324-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Across the European Union (EU), efforts are being made to achieve modernisation and harmonisation of meat inspection (MI) code systems. Lung lesions were prioritised as important animal based measures at slaughter, but existing standardized protocols are difficult to implement for routine MI. This study aimed to compare the informative value and feasibility of simplified lung lesion scoring systems to inform future codes for routine post mortem MI. RESULTS Data on lung lesions in finisher pigs were collected at slaughter targeting 83 Irish pig farms, with 201 batches assessed, comprising 31,655 pairs of lungs. Lungs were scored for cranioventral pulmonary consolidations (CVPC) and pleurisy lesions using detailed scoring systems, which were considered the gold standard. Using the data collected, scenarios for possible simplified scoring systems to record CVPC (n = 4) and pleurisy (n = 4) lesions were defined. The measurable outcomes were the prevalence and (if possible) severity scoring at batch level for CVPC and pleurisy. An arbitrary threshold was set to the upper quartile (i.e., the top 25% of batches with high prevalence/severity of CVPC or pleurisy, n = 50). Each pair of measurable outcomes was compared by calculating Spearman rank correlations and assessing if batches above the threshold for one measurable outcome were also above it for their pairwise comparison. All scenarios showed perfect agreement (k = 1) when compared among themselves and the gold standard for the prevalence of CVPC. The agreement among severity outcomes and the gold standard showed moderate to perfect agreement (k = [0.66, 1]). The changes in ranking were negligible for all measurable outcomes of pleurisy for scenarios 1, 2 and 3 when compared with the gold standard (rs ≥ 0.98), but these changes amounted to 50% for scenario 4. CONCLUSIONS The best simplified CVPC scoring system is to simply count the number of lung lobes affected excluding the intermediate lobe, which provides the best trade-off between value of information and feasibility, by incorporating information on CVPC prevalence and severity. While for pleurisy evaluation, scenario 3 is recommended. This simplified scoring system provides information on the prevalence of cranial and moderate and severe dorsocaudal pleurisy. Further validation of the scoring systems at slaughter and by private veterinarians and farmers is needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joana Pessoa
- Pig Development Department, Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Ireland.
- Section of Herd Health and Animal Husbandry, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland.
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
| | - Conor McAloon
- Section of Herd Health and Animal Husbandry, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
| | - Laura Boyle
- Pig Development Department, Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Ireland
| | - Edgar García Manzanilla
- Pig Development Department, Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Ireland
- Section of Herd Health and Animal Husbandry, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
| | - Tomas Norton
- M3-BIORES-Measure, Model and Manage Bioresponses, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maria Rodrigues da Costa
- Pig Development Department, Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Ireland
- Section of Herd Health and Animal Husbandry, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
- Epidemiology Research Unit, Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Northern Faculty, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), An Lòchran, 10 Inverness Campus, Inverness, IV2 5NA, Scotland, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vieira-Pinto M, Langkabel N, Santos S, Alban L, Laguna JG, Blagojevic B, Meemken D, Bonardi S, Antunović B, Ghidini S, Maurer P, Alvseike O, Laukkanen-Ninios R. A European survey on post-mortem inspection of finishing pigs: Total condemnation criteria to declare meat unfit for human consumption. Res Vet Sci 2022; 152:72-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
|
5
|
Collineau E, Corbière F, Darnal S, Holleville N, Salines M. Analysis of bovine postmortem condemnation data in France: Contributions from a comprehensive and standardised information system at the slaughterhouse. Vet Rec 2022; 191:e1733. [PMID: 35700231 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.1733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The condemnation of carcases and offal unfit for human consumption is a regulatory requirement at the slaughterhouse. Condemnation data, if comprehensive and standardised, can be a valuable source of information for risk-based inspection and decision making. METHODS The aim of this study was to analyse postmortem condemnation data that were recorded in all bovine slaughterhouses in mainland France from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2020 in a comprehensive and standardised information system. The rates of and reasons for condemnation, as well as factors influencing rate variation, were investigated through descriptive analysis and multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS The global, total and partial condemnation rates were 4.5%, 0.7% and 3.8% for adult cattle and 1.4%, 0.3% and 1.1% for calves, respectively. Reasons for condemnation varied with the animal category; for example, the three main reasons for total condemnation in adult cattle were serous infiltration of connective tissue (49% of condemned animals), congestive peritonitis (12.2%) and fibrinous peritonitis (10.9%), whereas the top three reasons for partial condemnation were unique abscess (21.9%), haemorrhagic infiltration (20.6%) and muscular sclerosis (17.4%). Condemnation rates were influenced by animal-related factors (sex, age, type of breed) and slaughterhouse-related factors (status, type, slaughter volume). CONCLUSION Our findings could usefully contribute to the continuous improvement of the harmonisation of inspection decisions and support the risk manager's strategy in the modernisation of official controls at the slaughterhouse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eléonore Collineau
- French Ministry of Agriculture and Food, General Directorate for Food, Office for Slaughterhouses and Cutting Plants, Paris, France
| | - Fabien Corbière
- UMR INRAE-ENVT 1225 IHAP, National Veterinary School, University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Stéphanie Darnal
- French Ministry of Agriculture and Food, General Directorate for Food, Office for Slaughterhouses and Cutting Plants, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Holleville
- French Ministry of Agriculture and Food, General Directorate for Food, Office for Slaughterhouses and Cutting Plants, Paris, France
| | - Morgane Salines
- French Ministry of Agriculture and Food, General Directorate for Food, Office for Slaughterhouses and Cutting Plants, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Soare C, Garcia-Ara A, Seguino A, Uys M, Thomas LF. Maximising Societal Benefit From the Control of Neglected Zoonoses: Identifying Synergies and Trade-Offs in the Control of Taenia solium. Front Vet Sci 2022; 8:794257. [PMID: 35224073 PMCID: PMC8865387 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.794257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Interventions to control or eradicate neglected zoonoses are generally paid for through the public purse and when these interventions focus on the animal hosts, they are often expected to be performed and financed through the state veterinary service. The benefits of control, however, accrue across the human, animal, and environmental spaces and enhance both public and private interests. Additionally, disease control interventions do not take place in a vacuum and the indirect impacts of our actions should also be considered if the societal benefit of interventions is to be maximised. With the caveat that unintended consequences can and will occur, pre-identifying potential synergies and trade-offs in our disease control initiatives allows for them to be considered in intervention design and monitored during programme roll-out. In this paper, using a One Health approach with the example of Taenia solium control, we identify potential indirect impacts which may arise and how these may influence both our choice of intervention and opportunities to optimise the animal, environmental, and societal benefits of control through maximising synergies and minimising trade-offs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Soare
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Amelia Garcia-Ara
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Alessandro Seguino
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Matthys Uys
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Lian F. Thomas
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, United Kingdom
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- *Correspondence: Lian F. Thomas
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Falzon LC, Ogola JG, Odinga CO, Naboyshchikov L, Fèvre EM, Berezowski J. Electronic data collection to enhance disease surveillance at the slaughterhouse in a smallholder production system. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19447. [PMID: 34593856 PMCID: PMC8484591 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98495-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, meat inspection provides data for animal health surveillance. However, paper-based recording of data is often not reported through to higher authorities in sufficient detail. We trialled the use of an electronic meat inspection form in Kenyan slaughterhouses, in lieu of the currently used paper-based format. Meat inspectors in two ruminant slaughterhouses completed and submitted an electronic report for each animal slaughtered at their facility. The reports, which captured information on the animal demographics and any eventual condemnations, were stored in a central database and available in real-time. A stakeholder meeting was held towards the end of the study. Over the 2.75 year study period, 16,386 reports were submitted; a downward linear trend in the monthly submissions was noted. There was a week effect, whereby more reports were submitted on the market day. Of the slaughtered animals, 23% had at least a partial condemnation. The most frequently condemned organs were the liver, lungs and intestines; the primary reasons for condemnations were parasitic conditions. Lack of feedback and difficulty capturing animal origin information were the primary challenges highlighted. The study demonstrated that electronic data capture is feasible in such challenging environments, thereby improving the timeliness and resolution of the data collected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Falzon
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK. .,International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Joseph G Ogola
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.,Veterinary Department, Bungoma County Government, Bungoma, Kenya
| | | | | | - Eric M Fèvre
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK. .,International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - John Berezowski
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Buzdugan SN, Alarcon P, Huntington B, Rushton J, Blake DP, Guitian J. Enhancing the value of meat inspection records for broiler health and welfare surveillance: longitudinal detection of relational patterns. BMC Vet Res 2021; 17:278. [PMID: 34407823 PMCID: PMC8371771 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-021-02970-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abattoir data are under-used for surveillance. Nationwide surveillance could benefit from using data on meat inspection findings, but several limitations need to be overcome. At the producer level, interpretation of meat inspection findings is a notable opportunity for surveillance with relevance to animal health and welfare. In this study, we propose that discovery and monitoring of relational patterns between condemnation conditions co-present in broiler batches at meat inspection can provide valuable information for surveillance of farmed animal health and welfare. RESULTS Great Britain (GB)-based integrator meat inspection records for 14,045 broiler batches slaughtered in nine, four monthly intervals were assessed for the presence of surveillance indicators relevant to broiler health and welfare. K-means and correlation-based hierarchical clustering, and association rules analyses were performed to identify relational patterns in the data. Incidence of condemnation showed seasonal and temporal variation, which was detected by association rules analysis. Syndrome-related and non-specific relational patterns were detected in some months of meat inspection records. A potentially syndromic cluster was identified in May 2016 consisting of infection-related conditions: pericarditis, perihepatitis, peritonitis, and abnormal colour. Non-specific trends were identified in some months as an unusual combination of condemnation reasons in broiler batches. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the detection of relational patterns in meat inspection records could provide producer-level surveillance indicators with relevance to broiler chicken health and welfare.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S N Buzdugan
- Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health Group, Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, North Mymms, UK.
| | - P Alarcon
- Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health Group, Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, North Mymms, UK
| | - B Huntington
- Liverpool Science Park, Innovation Centre 2, 146 Brownlow Hill, L3 5RF, Liverpool, UK
| | - J Rushton
- Epidemiology and Population Health, Liverpool University, Brownlow Hill, L69 7ZX, Liverpool, UK
| | - D P Blake
- Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, UK
| | - J Guitian
- Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health Group, Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, North Mymms, UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Gray H, Friel M, Goold C, Smith RP, Williamson SM, Collins LM. Modelling the links between farm characteristics, respiratory health and pig production traits. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13789. [PMID: 34215759 PMCID: PMC8253804 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93027-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Sustainable livestock production requires links between farm characteristics, animal performance and animal health to be recognised and understood. In the pig industry, respiratory disease is prevalent, and has negative health, welfare and economic consequences. We used national-level carcass inspection data from the Food Standards Agency to identify associations between pig respiratory disease, farm characteristics (housing type and number of source farms), and pig performance (mortality, average daily weight gain, back fat and carcass weight) from 49 all in/all out grow-to-finish farms. We took a confirmatory approach by pre-registering our hypotheses and used Bayesian multi-level modelling to quantify the uncertainty in our estimates. The study findings showed that acquiring growing pigs from multiple sources was associated with higher respiratory condition prevalence. Higher prevalence of respiratory conditions was linked with higher mortality, and lower average daily weight gain, back fat and pig carcass weight. Our results support previous literature using a range of data sources. In conclusion, we find that meat inspection data are more valuable at a finer resolution than has been previously indicated and could be a useful tool in monitoring batch-level pig health in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H Gray
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - M Friel
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - C Goold
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - R P Smith
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge, UK
| | | | - L M Collins
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Do Animal Welfare Schemes Promote Better Animal Health? An Empirical Investigation of German Pork Production. Livest Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
11
|
A cross-sectional survey on respiratory disease in a cohort of Irish pig farms. Ir Vet J 2020; 73:24. [PMID: 33319705 PMCID: PMC7680599 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-020-00176-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Respiratory disease is one of the most important factors impacting pig production worldwide. There is no available information on the prevalence of key pathogens implicated in Irish pig production. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of pleurisy, pneumonia, lung abscesses, pericarditis and liver milk spots in finisher pigs of a cohort of Irish pig farms, and to describe the seroprevalence of: influenza A virus (IAV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSv), Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhyo) and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP). Results In brief, 56 farrow-to-finish farms (29% of the Irish breeding herd) were enrolled in the study in 2017. Data on lungs, heart, and liver lesions were assessed for each farm at slaughter. An average of 417 (range 129–1154) plucks per farm were assessed for pleurisy, pneumonia, lung abscesses, pericarditis, and liver milk spots. Blood samples from 32 finisher pigs were collected at slaughter for each farm. The observed prevalence of pleurisy and pneumonia was one of the lowest reported in similar studies in Europe (13 and 11% estimated average within farm, respectively). Pleurisy lesions were mostly moderate and severe. Pneumonia lesions affected a low level of lung surface (5.8%). Prevalence of pericarditis was mid-high (8%) and the prevalence of liver milk spots was high, with an average of 29% of the livers affected. For serology, 78.6% of the farms were positive for IAV, 50% were positive for PRRSv, 71.4% were positive for Mhyo, and 98.2% were positive for APP. Influenza virus was the main pathogen associated with pleurisy (P < 0.001) and Mhyo was the main pathogen associated with pneumonia (P < 0.001) and pericarditis (P = 0.024). Conclusions Farms affected with pleurisy had moderate to severe lesions. Farms affected with pneumonia had mild lesions, which could be the effect of the generalised use of Mhyo vaccination in piglets. The seroprevalence of IAV, PRRSv, Mhyo and APP in the present study sample is similar to or lower than in other European countries. Further research on the PRRSv and APP strains circulating in Ireland is necessary to support the design of national or regional control plans.
Collapse
|
12
|
Rodrigues da Costa M, Fitzgerald RM, Manzanilla EG, O’Shea H, Moriarty J, McElroy MC, Leonard FC. A cross-sectional survey on respiratory disease in a cohort of Irish pig farms. Ir Vet J 2020. [PMID: 33319705 PMCID: PMC7680599 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-020-00176-w+] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Respiratory disease is one of the most important factors impacting pig production worldwide. There is no available information on the prevalence of key pathogens implicated in Irish pig production. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of pleurisy, pneumonia, lung abscesses, pericarditis and liver milk spots in finisher pigs of a cohort of Irish pig farms, and to describe the seroprevalence of: influenza A virus (IAV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSv), Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhyo) and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP). RESULTS In brief, 56 farrow-to-finish farms (29% of the Irish breeding herd) were enrolled in the study in 2017. Data on lungs, heart, and liver lesions were assessed for each farm at slaughter. An average of 417 (range 129-1154) plucks per farm were assessed for pleurisy, pneumonia, lung abscesses, pericarditis, and liver milk spots. Blood samples from 32 finisher pigs were collected at slaughter for each farm. The observed prevalence of pleurisy and pneumonia was one of the lowest reported in similar studies in Europe (13 and 11% estimated average within farm, respectively). Pleurisy lesions were mostly moderate and severe. Pneumonia lesions affected a low level of lung surface (5.8%). Prevalence of pericarditis was mid-high (8%) and the prevalence of liver milk spots was high, with an average of 29% of the livers affected. For serology, 78.6% of the farms were positive for IAV, 50% were positive for PRRSv, 71.4% were positive for Mhyo, and 98.2% were positive for APP. Influenza virus was the main pathogen associated with pleurisy (P < 0.001) and Mhyo was the main pathogen associated with pneumonia (P < 0.001) and pericarditis (P = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS Farms affected with pleurisy had moderate to severe lesions. Farms affected with pneumonia had mild lesions, which could be the effect of the generalised use of Mhyo vaccination in piglets. The seroprevalence of IAV, PRRSv, Mhyo and APP in the present study sample is similar to or lower than in other European countries. Further research on the PRRSv and APP strains circulating in Ireland is necessary to support the design of national or regional control plans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rodrigues da Costa
- Pig Development Department, Teagasc - Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, P61 C996 Co. Cork, Ireland ,grid.7080.fDepartament de Ciencia Animal i dels Aliments, Facultat de Veterinaria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain ,grid.7886.10000 0001 0768 2743School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8 Belfield, Ireland ,grid.426884.40000 0001 0170 6644Present address: Epidemiology Research Unit, Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Northern Faculty, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), An Lòchran, 10 Inverness Campus, IV2 5NA Inverness, Scotland, UK
| | - Rose Mary Fitzgerald
- grid.47244.310000 0001 0693 825XBio-Explore, Department of Biological Sciences, Cork Institute of Technology, Rossa Avenue, Bishopstown, T12 P928 Cork, Ireland
| | - Edgar Garcia Manzanilla
- Pig Development Department, Teagasc - Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, P61 C996 Co. Cork, Ireland ,grid.7886.10000 0001 0768 2743School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8 Belfield, Ireland
| | - Helen O’Shea
- grid.47244.310000 0001 0693 825XBio-Explore, Department of Biological Sciences, Cork Institute of Technology, Rossa Avenue, Bishopstown, T12 P928 Cork, Ireland
| | - John Moriarty
- Central Veterinary Research laboratory, Department of Agriculture, Food & Marine Laboratories, Celbridge W23VW2C Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Máire C. McElroy
- Central Veterinary Research laboratory, Department of Agriculture, Food & Marine Laboratories, Celbridge W23VW2C Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Finola Catherine Leonard
- grid.7886.10000 0001 0768 2743School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8 Belfield, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Guardone L, Vitali A, Fratini F, Pardini S, Cenci Goga BT, Nucera D, Armani A. A Retrospective Study after 10 Years (2010-2019) of Meat Inspection Activity in a Domestic Swine Abattoir in Tuscany: The Slaughterhouse as an Epidemiological Observatory. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10101907. [PMID: 33080947 PMCID: PMC7603081 DOI: 10.3390/ani10101907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Veterinarians belonging to the Health Authorities are responsible for the safety of food of animal origin. The control activities performed at the slaughterhouse comprise inspections before and after slaughtering to verify the health and welfare of the animals and the wholesomeness of the animal products. In this study, data deriving from ten years (2010–2019) of meat inspection activity in a pig slaughterhouse in Tuscany (Italy) were analyzed to investigate the frequencies of death during transport of whole carcass and partial condemnations and their causes. In total 1,246,309 pigs from 8 different regions of Central and Northern Italy were slaughtered. The mortality rate was found to be lower than the threshold internationally recommended to ensure animal welfare and in line with the mortality values reported at the European level. Overalls 372 carcasses were condemned mainly due to erysipelas, generalized jaundice, lipomatous pseudohypertrophy, generalized abscesses, acute or generalized enteritis, and peritonitis. As regards partial condemnations, liver, lungs, and kidney were the most frequently condemned organs. The results of this study describe a non-worrying situation as regards to the investigated aspects and confirm the slaughterhouse as a privileged observation point for monitoring the trend of the main diseases over time, the results of the efforts for their control, and also the compliance with animal welfare standards. Abstract The activities performed by the Official Veterinarian at the slaughterhouse represent a useful source of data for the control of issues affecting human and animal health and welfare. This study analyzed the data deriving from ten years (2010–2019) of meat inspection in a pig slaughterhouse in Tuscany (Italy) to investigate the transport mortality rate and the frequencies and main causes of whole carcass and partial condemnations. In total, 1,246,309 pigs were slaughtered from 8 different regions of Central and Northern Italy. Overall, 1153 pigs died during transport (mortality rate 0.09%). Whole carcass condemnation affected 372 carcasses (0.03%), mainly due to erysipelas, generalized jaundice, lipomatous pseudohypertrophy, generalized abscesses, acute or generalized enteritis, and peritonitis. As regards partial condemnations, the liver was the most frequently condemned (~30% of the pigs), followed by lungs (17.3%), heart (6.9%), and kidney (0.9%). The main causes were “milk spot liver” and perihepatitis for the liver; pneumonia and pleurisy for the lungs; pericarditis and polyserositis for the heart; and polycystic kidney and nephritis for kidneys. The results of this study describe a non-worrying situation as regards the investigated aspects and confirm the slaughterhouse as a valid epidemiological observatory for monitoring the trend of the main diseases over time, the results of the efforts for their control, and the compliance with animal welfare standards.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Guardone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.G.); (A.V.); (F.F.)
| | - Alessio Vitali
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.G.); (A.V.); (F.F.)
| | - Filippo Fratini
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.G.); (A.V.); (F.F.)
- Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca Nutraceutica e Alimentazione per la Salute, Nutrafood, Università di Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Pardini
- Azienda USL Toscana Centro, zona Val di Nievole, via 1 Maggio Massa e Cozzile, 51010 Pistoia, Italy;
| | | | - Daniele Nucera
- Department of Agriculture, Forest and Food Science, University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Torino, Italy;
| | - Andrea Armani
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.G.); (A.V.); (F.F.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Neroli S, Prestmo PG, Sheard P, Knowles TG, van Klink EGM. Analysis of risk factors for dermatitis and cellulitis in turkeys using abattoir post mortem data. Br Poult Sci 2020; 61:531-537. [PMID: 32508148 DOI: 10.1080/00071668.2020.1776214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
1. Cellulitis and dermatitis are often seen in turkeys at slaughter and are, in many cases, reasons for rejection at meat inspection. Using the results of meat inspections and information about the housing conditions of the animals may provide information on causative factors in the development of cellulitis and dermatitis. 2. A census of two years of turkey production in a company including both fattening farms and an abattoir in the north of England was used to study the relationship between the prevalence of cellulitis/dermatitis and mechanical versus natural ventilation in the poultry house, litter type (long straw, short straw and wood shavings) and stocking density. 3. The overall prevalence of cellulitis and dermatitis in this population was 0.12 %, which was extremely low compared to reports in the literature. In mechanically ventilated houses, the odds of developing cellulitis and/or dermatitis was significantly higher than in naturally ventilated houses (Odds Ratio 3.18). Long straw had a protective effect compared to wood shavings (Odds Ratio 0.18). 4. The study showed that using slaughter data can be helpful in studying on-farm risk factors for disease development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Neroli
- Meat Science, Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol , Bristol, UK
| | - P G Prestmo
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol , Bristol, UK
| | - P Sheard
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol , Bristol, UK
| | - T G Knowles
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol , Bristol, UK
| | - E G M van Klink
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol , Bristol, UK
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Stirling JM, Eze JI, Foster G, Reeves A, Gunn GJ, Tongue SC. The Use of Sheep Movement Data to Inform Design and Interpretation of Slaughterhouse-Based Surveillance Activities. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:205. [PMID: 32391387 PMCID: PMC7193055 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The design of surveillance strategies is often a compromise between science, feasibility, and available resources, especially when sampling is based at fixed locations, such as slaughter-houses. Advances in animal identification, movement recording and traceability should provide data that can facilitate the development, design and interpretation of surveillance activities. Here, for the first time since the introduction of electronic identification of sheep, the utility of a statutory sheep movement database to inform the design and interpretation of slaughter-house based surveillance activities has been investigated. Scottish sheep movement records for 2015–2018 were analyzed in combination with several other data sources. Patterns of off-farm movements of Scottish sheep to slaughter were described and the spatial distribution of several distinct slaughter populations, throughputs and catchment areas for Scottish slaughterhouses were determined. These were used to evaluate the coverage of a convenience-sample slaughter-house based survey for antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In addition, non-slaughter sheep movements within and between Scottish regions were described and inter-and intra-regional movement matrices were produced. There is potential at a number of levels for bias in spatially-associated factors for ovine surveillance activities based at Scottish slaughterhouses. The first is intrinsic because the slaughtered in Scotland population differs from the overall Scottish sheep slaughter population. Other levels will be survey-dependent and occur when the catchment area differs from the slaughtered in Scotland population and when the sampled sheep differ from the catchment area. These are both observed in the AMR survey. Furthermore, the Scottish non-slaughter sheep population is dynamic. Inter-regional movements vary seasonally, driven by the sheep calendar year, structure of the Scottish sheep industry and management practices. These sheep movement data provide a valuable resource for surveillance purposes, despite a number of challenges and limitations that were encountered. They can be used to identify and characterize the spatial origin of relevant populations and so inform the interpretation of existing slaughterhouse-based surveillance activities. They can be used to improve future design by exploring the feasibility and cost:benefit of alternative sampling strategies. Further development could also contribute to other surveillance activities, such as situational awareness and resource allocation, for the benefit of stakeholders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie M Stirling
- Epidemiology Research Unit (Inverness), Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Northern Faculty, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Jude I Eze
- Epidemiology Research Unit (Inverness), Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Northern Faculty, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Scotland, United Kingdom.,Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, JCMB, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Geoffrey Foster
- SRUC Veterinary Services (Inverness), Northern Faculty, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Aaron Reeves
- Epidemiology Research Unit (Inverness), Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Northern Faculty, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - George J Gunn
- Epidemiology Research Unit (Inverness), Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Northern Faculty, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Sue C Tongue
- Epidemiology Research Unit (Inverness), Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Northern Faculty, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Scotland, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Influence of temperature on prevalence of health and welfare conditions in pigs: time-series analysis of pig abattoir inspection data in England and Wales. Epidemiol Infect 2020; 148:e30. [PMID: 32066511 PMCID: PMC7026902 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268819002085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of many diseases in pigs displays seasonal distributions. Despite growing concerns about the impacts of climate change, we do not yet have a good understanding of the role that weather factors play in explaining such seasonal patterns. In this study, national and county-level aggregated abattoir inspection data were assessed for England and Wales during 2010–2015. Seasonally-adjusted relationships were characterised between weekly ambient maximum temperature and the prevalence of both respiratory conditions and tail biting detected at slaughter. The prevalence of respiratory conditions showed cyclical annual patterns with peaks in the summer months and troughs in the winter months each year. However, there were no obvious associations with either high or low temperatures. The prevalence of tail biting generally increased as temperatures decreased, but associations were not supported by statistical evidence: across all counties there was a relative risk of 1.028 (95% CI 0.776–1.363) for every 1 °C fall in temperature. Whilst the seasonal patterns observed in this study are similar to those reported in previous studies, the lack of statistical evidence for an explicit association with ambient temperature may possibly be explained by the lack of information on date of disease onset. There is also the possibility that other time-varying factors not investigated here may be driving some of the seasonal patterns.
Collapse
|
17
|
Tongue SC, Eze JI, Correia-Gomes C, Brülisauer F, Gunn GJ. Improving the Utility of Voluntary Ovine Fallen Stock Collection and Laboratory Diagnostic Submission Data for Animal Health Surveillance Purposes: A Development Cycle. Front Vet Sci 2020; 6:487. [PMID: 32039248 PMCID: PMC6993589 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
There are calls from policy-makers and industry to use existing data sources to contribute to livestock surveillance systems, especially for syndromic surveillance. However, the practical implications of attempting to use such data sources are challenging; development often requires incremental steps in an iterative cycle. In this study the utility of business operational data from a voluntary fallen stock collection service was investigated, to determine if they could be used as a proxy for the mortality experienced by the British sheep population. Retrospectively, Scottish ovine fallen stock collection data (2011-2014) were transformed into meaningful units for analysis, temporal and spatial patterns were described, time-series methods and a temporal aberration detection algorithm applied. Distinct annual and spatial trends plus seasonal patterns were observed in the three age groups investigated. The algorithm produced an alarm at the point of an historic known departure from normal (April 2013) for two age groups, across Scotland as a whole and in specific postcode areas. The analysis was then extended. Initially, to determine if similar methods could be applied to ovine fallen stock collections from England and Wales for the same time period. Additionally, Scottish contemporaneous laboratory diagnostic submission data were analyzed to see if they could provide further insight for interpretation of statistical alarms. Collaboration was required between the primary data holders, those with industry sector knowledge, plus veterinary, epidemiological and statistical expertise, in order to turn data and analytical outcomes into potentially useful information. A number of limitations were identified and recommendations were made as to how some could be addressed in order to facilitate use of these data as surveillance "intelligence." e.g., improvements to data collection and provision. A recent update of the fallen stock collections data has enabled a longer temporal period to be analyzed, with evidence of changes made in line with the recommendations. Further development will be required before a functional system can be implemented. However, there is potential for use of these data as: a proxy measure for mortality in the sheep population; complementary components in a future surveillance system, and to inform the design of additional surveillance system components.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sue C. Tongue
- Epidemiology Research Unit, Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Northern Faculty, Scotland's Rural College, Inverness, United Kingdom
| | - Jude I. Eze
- Epidemiology Research Unit, Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Northern Faculty, Scotland's Rural College, Inverness, United Kingdom
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS), JCMB, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Carla Correia-Gomes
- Epidemiology Research Unit, Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Northern Faculty, Scotland's Rural College, Inverness, United Kingdom
| | - Franz Brülisauer
- SRUC Veterinary Services, Scotland's Rural College, Inverness, United Kingdom
| | - George J. Gunn
- Epidemiology Research Unit, Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Northern Faculty, Scotland's Rural College, Inverness, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Buncic S, Alban L, Blagojevic B. From traditional meat inspection to development of meat safety assurance programs in pig abattoirs – The European situation. Food Control 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2019.06.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|
19
|
Hanley J, Garcia-Ara A, Wapenaar W. Cattle and sheep farmers' opinions on the provision and use of abattoir rejection data in the United Kingdom. Vet Rec 2019; 186:217. [PMID: 31771996 DOI: 10.1136/vr.105162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Communication between farmers and veterinary surgeons is reported to differ when involving abattoir rejection data on cattle or sheep. METHODS Using surveys, distributed online and on paper at livestock markets, this study describes the interest and positive opinion of a sample of UK cattle and sheep farmers in receiving abattoir data. RESULTS Forty-nine per cent of respondents always received abattoir data (n=37/76). Over 80 per cent of respondents were interested in all suggested rejection conditions and particularly liver fluke and respiratory conditions. Eighty-two per cent of farmers were willing to share data with their veterinary surgeon as the information could be used to inform health plans. CONCLUSION The study findings indicate that having an accurate and consistent data system, which is easily accessible to farmers and veterinary surgeons, appears an essential next step to improve the use of existing abattoir data and enhance animal health, welfare and production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James Hanley
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - Amelia Garcia-Ara
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - Wendela Wapenaar
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Knock M, Carroll GA. The Potential of Post-Mortem Carcass Assessments in Reflecting the Welfare of Beef and Dairy Cattle. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:E959. [PMID: 31766113 PMCID: PMC6912758 DOI: 10.3390/ani9110959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
There is increasing interest in utilizing meat inspection data to help inform farmers of the health and welfare of their herds. The aim of this study was to determine whether ante-mortem measures of welfare in beef and dairy cattle (N = 305) were associated with post-mortem measures at a United Kingdom (UK) abattoir. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the ability of ante-mortem measures of lameness, cleanliness, skin lesions, hair loss and body condition in predicting hot carcass weight and the frequency of carcass bruising. For beef cattle, lameness score (p = 0.04), cleanliness score (p = 0.02) and age (p < 0.001), were predictors of carcass bruise score while lameness score (p = 0.03), body condition (p = 0.01) and sex (p < 0.001) were predictors of hot carcass weight. For dairy cattle, sex (p < 0.001) and slaughter day (p < 0.001) were predictors of carcass bruise score while skin lesion score (p = 0.01), body condition (p < 0.001), age (p < 0.001), slaughter day (p < 0.001) and number of moves (p = 0.01) were predictors of hot carcass weight. These results suggest that recording carcass weight and carcass bruising at meat inspection may have potential as a general indicator of health and welfare status in cattle. However, animal characteristics and variables, such as slaughter day and abattoir staffing, should be taken into account when interpreting the results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melody Knock
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare Research Group, Department of Animal and Land Sciences, Hartpury University, Gloucester GL19 3BE, UK;
| | - Grace A. Carroll
- Animal Behaviour Centre, School of Psychology, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, BT7 1NN, UK
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Arzoomand N, Vågsholm I, Niskanen R, Johansson A, Comin A. Flexible distribution of tasks in meat inspection – A pilot study. Food Control 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2019.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
22
|
Horst A, Gertz M, Krieter J. Challenges and opportunities of using meat inspection data to improve pig health traits by breeding: A review. Livest Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2019.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
23
|
Smith RP, Correia-Gomes C, Williamson S, Marier EA, Gilson D, Tongue SC. Review of pig health and welfare surveillance data sources in England and Wales. Vet Rec 2019; 184:349. [PMID: 30635452 DOI: 10.1136/vr.104896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The capability to set baselines and monitor trends of health and welfare conditions is an important requirement for livestock industries in order to maintain economic competitiveness and sustainability. Monitoring schemes evaluate the relative importance of conditions so that: appropriate actions can be determined, prioritised and implemented; new and (re)emerging conditions can be promptly detected and the effectiveness of any actions can be measured. In 2011, the national pig levy board published a strategy document highlighting health and welfare conditions of importance to the pig industry that were to be targeted for control. In this study, existing schemes that could be used to monitor or set baselines for these conditions in pigs were reviewed, in order to evaluate their suitability for this purpose, using a standardised surveillance evaluation framework (SERVAL). The schemes included: government-funded surveillance of endemic and exotic disease and pig welfare; industry surveillance of endemic diseases; regional schemes for improving pig health; national accreditation schemes and information collected by retailers, private veterinary practices and private laboratories. The evaluation of each scheme highlights its capability to monitor any of the targeted conditions. This study identifies the biases, strengths and gaps in each scheme and provides discussion of opportunities for future development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard P Smith
- Department of Epidemiological Sciences, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Weybridge, Addlestone, UK
| | | | | | | | - Daniel Gilson
- Department of Epidemiological Sciences, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Weybridge, Addlestone, UK
| | - Sue C Tongue
- Epidemiology Research Unit, Scotland's Rural College, Edinburgh, UK
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Souza APO, Taconeli CA, Plugge NF, Molento CFM. Broiler Chicken Meat Inspection Data in Brazil: A First Glimpse into an Animal Welfare Approach. BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF POULTRY SCIENCE 2018. [DOI: 10.1590/1806-9061-2017-0706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- APO Souza
- Federal University of Paraná, Brazil
| | | | - NF Plugge
- Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Carroll GA, Boyle LA, Hanlon A, Palmer MA, Collins L, Griffin K, Armstrong D, O’Connell NE. Identifying physiological measures of lifetime welfare status in pigs: exploring the usefulness of haptoglobin, C- reactive protein and hair cortisol sampled at the time of slaughter. Ir Vet J 2018; 71:8. [PMID: 29507716 PMCID: PMC5833096 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-018-0118-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Physiological measures indicative of the welfare status of animals during rearing could form part of an abattoir-based animal health and welfare assessment tool. A total of 66 pigs were used in this study, the aim of which was to assess how serum concentrations of haptoglobin (Hp) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (assessed in 51 pigs), and hair concentrations of cortisol (assessed in 65 pigs), measured at or close to slaughter, reflected welfare-related indicators recorded from the animal during its lifetime. These indicators were recorded at intervals between 7 and 21 weeks of age and included assigning scores for levels of tail and skin lesions, recording the presence or absence of certain health issues, and conducting qualitative behavioural assessments (QBA). RESULTS Pigs recorded as having tail lesions during their lifetime had higher hair cortisol levels than those with no tail lesions (tail lesions: 47.87 ± 3.34 pg/mg, no tail lesions: 42.20 ± 3.29 pg/mg, P = 0.023), and pigs recorded as having moderate or severe tail lesions had higher Hp levels than those with no or mild tail lesions (moderate/severe: 1.711 mg/ml ± 0.74, none/mild: 0.731 mg/ml ±0.10, P = 0.010). Pigs recorded as being lame during their lifetime tended to have higher hair cortisol levels than non-lame pigs (lame: 52.72 pg/mg ± 3.83, not lame: 43.07 pg/mg ± 2.69, P = 0.062). QBA scores were not associated with any of the physiological measures (P > 0.05). Receiver Operator Curve (ROC) analysis was also carried out to get a better understanding of the usefulness of the physiological measures in discriminating animals that had had welfare-related issues recorded during their lifetime from those that had not. Hair cortisol was determined as having 'moderate' accuracy in discriminating pigs that were tail bitten on-farm from unbitten pigs (AUC: 0.748) while Hp and CRP were determined to have no meaningful discriminatory ability (AUC < 0.600). CONCLUSION This research should be repeated on a larger scale, but the results suggest that hair cortisol measured at slaughter could provide insight into the welfare status of pigs during their lifetime. Hp may be a useful indicator of tail lesions in pigs. However, further research utilising a greater proportion of severely bitten pigs is required before conclusions can be drawn.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G. A. Carroll
- Institute for Global Food Security, Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland Technology Centre, Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 5HN UK
| | - L. A. Boyle
- Animal & Grassland Research & Innovation Centre, Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork Republic of Ireland
| | - A. Hanlon
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4 Republic of Ireland
| | - M. A. Palmer
- Institute for Global Food Security, Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland Technology Centre, Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 5HN UK
| | - L. Collins
- Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN6 7TS UK
| | - K. Griffin
- School of Biological Sciences, Queens University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL UK
| | - D. Armstrong
- Agri-food and Biosciences Institute Pig Unit, Large Park, Hillsborough, Lisburn, County Down BT26 6DR UK
| | - N. E. O’Connell
- School of Biological Sciences, Queens University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL UK
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Mathur PK, Vogelzang R, Mulder HA, Knol EF. Genetic Selection to Enhance Animal Welfare Using Meat Inspection Data from Slaughter Plants. Animals (Basel) 2018; 8:ani8020016. [PMID: 29364186 PMCID: PMC5836024 DOI: 10.3390/ani8020016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Analysis of a large volume of meat inspection data suggests availability of genetic variation for most common indicators of poor animal welfare. This genetic variation can be used to select pigs that have the potential to resist common infections and other unfavorable welfare conditions. Genetic selection can be a tool in addition to farm management in reducing the risk of diseases, thereby reducing pain and suffering of animals. In general, the slaughter remarks have small but favorable genetic relationships with finishing and carcass quality traits. Therefore, it is possible to enhance animal welfare along with the genetic selection for economically important production traits. Abstract Animal health and welfare are monitored during meat inspection in many slaughter plants around the world. Carcasses are examined by meat inspectors and remarks are made with respect to different diseases, injuries, and other abnormalities. This is a valuable data resource for disease prevention and enhancing animal welfare, but it is rarely used for this purpose. Records on carcass remarks on 140,375 finisher pigs were analyzed to investigate the possibility of genetic selection to reduce the risk of the most prevalent diseases and indicators of suboptimal animal welfare. As part of this, effects of some non-genetic factors such as differences between farms, sexes, and growth rates were also examined. The most frequent remarks were pneumonia (15.4%), joint disorders (9.8%), pleuritis (4.7%), pericarditis (2.3%), and liver lesions (2.2%). Joint disorders were more frequent in boars than in gilts. There were also significant differences between farms. Pedigree records were available for 142,324 pigs from 14 farms and were used for genetic analysis. Heritability estimates for pneumonia, pleuritis, pericarditis, liver lesions, and joint disorders were 0.10, 0.09, 0.14, 0.24, and 0.17 on the liability scale, respectively, suggesting the existence of substantial genetic variation. This was further confirmed though genome wide associations using deregressed breeding values as phenotypes. The genetic correlations between these remarks and finishing traits were small but mostly negative, suggesting the possibility of enhancing pig health and welfare simultaneously with genetic improvement in finishing traits. A selection index based on the breeding values for these traits and their economic values was developed. This index is used to enhance animal welfare in pig farms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pramod K Mathur
- Topigs Norsvin BV, PO Box 43, Beuningen 6640 AA, The Netherlands.
| | - Roos Vogelzang
- Topigs Norsvin BV, PO Box 43, Beuningen 6640 AA, The Netherlands.
| | - Herman A Mulder
- Wageningen University & Research Animal Breeding and Genomics, PO Box 338, Wageningen 6700 AH, The Netherlands.
| | - Egbert F Knol
- Topigs Norsvin BV, PO Box 43, Beuningen 6640 AA, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Losada-Espinosa N, Villarroel M, María GA, Miranda-de la Lama GC. Pre-slaughter cattle welfare indicators for use in commercial abattoirs with voluntary monitoring systems: A systematic review. Meat Sci 2017; 138:34-48. [PMID: 29291504 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2017.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Revised: 10/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Animal welfare has become an important subject of public, economic and political concern, leading to the need to validate indicators that are feasible to use at abattoirs. A systematic review was carried out, which identified 72 cattle welfare indicators (CWI) that were classified into four categories (physiological, morphometric, behavioral and meat quality). Their validity and feasibility for use in abattoirs were evaluated as potential measures of cattle welfare during transportation to the abattoir and at the abattoir itself. Several highly valid indicators were identified that are useful to assess welfare at abattoirs, including body condition score, human-animal interactions, vocalizations, falling, carcass bruising, and meat pH. In addition, some intermediate valid indicators are useful and should be investigated further. Information along the food chain could be used systematically to provide a basis for a more-risk-based meat inspection. An integrated system based on the use of key indicators defined for each inspection step with the setting of alarm thresholds could be implemented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natyieli Losada-Espinosa
- Graduate Program in Sciences of Animal Health and Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, UNAM, Mexico
| | - Morris Villarroel
- Department of Animal Science, E.T.S.I.A. Polytechnic University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gustavo A María
- Department of Animal Production & Food Science, AgriFood Institute of Aragon (IA2), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Boden LA, Auty H, Reeves A, Rydevik G, Bessell P, McKendrick IJ. Animal Health Surveillance in Scotland in 2030: Using Scenario Planning to Develop Strategies in the Context of "Brexit". Front Vet Sci 2017; 4:201. [PMID: 29230402 PMCID: PMC5711829 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2017.00201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal health surveillance is necessary to protect human and animal health, rural economies, and the environment from the consequences of large-scale disease outbreaks. In Scotland, since the Kinnaird review in 2011, efforts have been made to engage with stakeholders to ensure that the strategic goals of surveillance are better aligned with the needs of the end-users and other beneficiaries. The aims of this study were to engage with Scottish surveillance stakeholders and multidisciplinary experts to inform the future long-term strategy for animal health surveillance in Scotland. In this paper, we describe the use of scenario planning as an effective tool for the creation and exploration of five plausible long-term futures; we describe prioritization of critical drivers of change (i.e., international trade policy, data-sharing philosophies, and public versus private resourcing of surveillance capacity) that will unpredictably influence the future implementation of animal health surveillance activities. We present 10 participant-developed strategies to support 3 long-term visions to improve future resilience of animal health surveillance and contingency planning for animal and zoonotic disease outbreaks in Scotland. In the absence of any certainty about the nature of post-Brexit trade agreements for agriculture, participants considered the best investments for long-term resilience to include data collection strategies to improve animal health benchmarking, user-benefit strategies to improve digital literacy in farming communities, and investment strategies to increase veterinary and scientific research capacity in rural areas. This is the first scenario planning study to explore stakeholder beliefs and perceptions about important environmental, technological, societal, political, and legal drivers (in addition to epidemiological "risk factors") and effective strategies to manage future uncertainties for both the Scottish livestock industry and animal health surveillance after Brexit. This insight from stakeholders is important to improve uptake and implementation of animal heath surveillance activities and the future resilience of the livestock industry. The conclusions drawn from this study are applicable not only to Scotland but to other countries and international organizations involved in global animal health surveillance activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A. Boden
- School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Harriet Auty
- Epidemiology Research Unit, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), Inverness, United Kingdom
| | - Aaron Reeves
- Epidemiology Research Unit, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), Inverness, United Kingdom
| | - Gustaf Rydevik
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Bessell
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Iain J. McKendrick
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, James Clerk Maxwell Building (JCMB), Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Correia-Gomes C, Eze JI, Borobia-Belsué J, Tucker AW, Sparrow D, Strachan D, Gunn GJ. Voluntary monitoring systems for pig health and welfare in the UK: Comparative analysis of prevalence and temporal patterns of selected non-respiratory post mortem conditions. Prev Vet Med 2017; 146:1-9. [PMID: 28992912 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2017.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Revised: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Collection of abattoir data related to public health is common worldwide. Standardised on-going programmes that collect information from abattoirs that inform producers about the presence and frequency of disease that are important to them rather than public health hazards are less common. The three voluntary pig health schemes, implemented in the United Kingdom, are integrated systems which capture information on different macroscopic disease conditions detected in slaughtered pigs. Many of these conditions have been associated with a reduction in performance traits and consequent increases in production costs. The schemes are the Wholesome Pigs Scotland in Scotland, the British Pig Health Scheme in England and Wales and the Pig Regen Ltd. health and welfare checks in Northern Ireland. In this study, four post mortem conditions (pericarditis, milk spots, papular dermatitis and tail damage) were surveyed and analysed over a ten and half year period, with the aim to compare the prevalence, monthly variations, and yearly trends between schemes. Liver milk spot was the most frequently recorded condition while tail damage was the least frequently observed condition. The prevalence of papular dermatitis was relatively low compared to liver milk spot and pericarditis in the three schemes. A general decreasing trend was observed for milk spots and papular dermatitis for all three schemes. The prevalence of pericarditis increased in Northern Ireland and England and Wales; while Scotland in recent years showed a decreasing trend. An increasing trend of tail damage was depicted in Scotland and Northern Ireland until 2013/2014 followed by a decline in recent years compared to that of England and Wales with a decreasing trend over the full study period. Monthly effects were more evident for milk spots and papular dermatitis. Similarity of the modus operandi of the schemes made the comparison of temporal variations and patterns in gross pathology between countries possible over time, especially between countries with similar pig production profile. This study of temporal patterns enables early detection of prevalence increases and alerts industry and researchers to investigate the reasons behind such changes. These schemes are, therefore, valuable assets for endemic disease surveillance, early warning for emerging disease and also for monitoring of welfare outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Correia-Gomes
- Scotland's Rural College, Kings Building, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, United Kingdom.
| | - J I Eze
- Scotland's Rural College, Kings Building, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, United Kingdom; Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS), JCMB, Edinburgh, EH9 3FD, United Kingdom
| | - J Borobia-Belsué
- MossVet, 34 Seagoe Industrial Estate, Portadown, Craigavon, County Armagh, BT35 8UJ, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - A W Tucker
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, United Kingdom
| | - D Sparrow
- MossVet, 34 Seagoe Industrial Estate, Portadown, Craigavon, County Armagh, BT35 8UJ, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
| | - D Strachan
- Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Ellesfield Avenue, Bracknell, RG12 8YS, United Kingdom
| | - G J Gunn
- Scotland's Rural College, Kings Building, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Ison SH, Clutton RE, Di Giminiani P, Rutherford KMD. A Review of Pain Assessment in Pigs. Front Vet Sci 2016; 3:108. [PMID: 27965968 PMCID: PMC5124671 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2016.00108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a moral obligation to minimize pain in pigs used for human benefit. In livestock production, pigs experience pain caused by management procedures, e.g., castration and tail docking, injuries from fighting or poor housing conditions, “management diseases” like mastitis or streptococcal meningitis, and at parturition. Pigs used in biomedical research undergo procedures that are regarded as painful in humans, but do not receive similar levels of analgesia, and pet pigs also experience potentially painful conditions. In all contexts, accurate pain assessment is a prerequisite in (a) the estimation of the welfare consequences of noxious interventions and (b) the development of more effective pain mitigation strategies. This narrative review identifies the sources of pain in pigs, discusses the various assessment measures currently available, and proposes directions for future investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah H Ison
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Edinburgh, UK; Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK
| | - R Eddie Clutton
- Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh , Midlothian , UK
| | - Pierpaolo Di Giminiani
- Food and Rural Development, School of Agriculture, Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK
| | - Kenneth M D Rutherford
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) , Edinburgh , UK
| |
Collapse
|