Effect of electrical water bath stunning on physical reflexes of broilers: evaluation of stunning efficacy under field conditions

The effects of different amounts and frequencies of stunning sine wave alternating current were investigated under field conditions. Seven hundred and fifty broilers were stunned in an electrical water bath with an average root mean square (RMS) current of 150, 200, and 250 mA and frequencies of 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1,200 Hz. The occurrence of corneal reflex, spontaneous eye blinking, and a positive response to a painful stimulus were monitored and recorded immediately after the stunning and at 20 s post-stun. Statistical analysis showed that the electrical stunning frequency (P=0.0004), the stunning RMS current (P<0.0001) and the interaction between stunning frequency and stunning current (P<0.0001) had a significant effect on the occurrence of animals experiencing an abolition of corneal reflex at 20 s post-stun.At a current of 150 mA, the probability of a successful stun was over 90% at 200 Hz, approximately 40% at 400 Hz, and below 5% for frequencies greater than 600 Hz. So, stunning at frequencies greater than 600 Hz cannot be recommended when a RMS current of 150 mA is applied. The maximum probability of a successful stun was obtained for a current level of 200 mA at 400 Hz and for a current level of 250 mA at 400 and 600 Hz, whereas the stunning treatments at 1,200 Hz provided the lowest probability of a successful stun. Assessment of spontaneous eye blinking and responses to comb pinching confirmed the indications coming from the analysis of corneal reflex.

Distribution and behavior of Listeria monocytogenes in three lots of naturally-contaminated vacuum-packed smoked salmon stored at 2 and 10 degrees C

The incidence, the number and the behavior of L. monocytogenes in three lots of naturally-contaminated vacuum-packed sliced smoked salmon, processed in different plants, were investigated during storage at 2 and 10 degrees C. L. monocytogenes was isolated from 20 of the 100 packages stored at 2 degrees C (16 from lot 1, 1 from lot 2 and 3 from lot 3) and from 12 of the 65 packages stored at 10 degrees C (all from lot 1). The levels detected were 15, 20, 290, 1100 and > 1100 cfu/g in 5 packages, all belonging to lot 1, and < 10 cfu/g in the remaining samples. The high incidence of L. monocytogenes in lot 1 was assumed to be due mainly to the use of causal workers for the slicing and packing operations.

Slaughterhouses and humane treatment

Man has the moral obligation to respect all animals and also to safeguard animals which are destined for slaughter from unnecessary suffering. Each country should establish regulations to secure humane conditions of slaughter for the various animal species. Unloading, lairaging, moving, stunning and bleeding of animals are all important for animal welfare; training and sensitivity of personnel are also essential. Ethological principles should be applied to the handling of animals and the design of slaughterhouse facilities. Efforts should be made to improve existing slaughter methods and/or develop new systems which ensure animal welfare, meat quality and work safety, while reducing costs and human labour, if possible. Animal welfare will probably be maximised if economical, ethical and qualitative considerations coincide. The role of the veterinarian is fundamental in supervising personnel, slaughterhouse facilities and the slaughter process, and in ensuring prompt care and humane treatment for animals.