Survey result for welfare at Slaughterhouses

Kinds of Operated Animals

Drinking Situations

Equipment used to move animals

Animals can drink water any time before being slaughtered.
Cows: 55% Pigs: 25% Other animals: 21%

Cows

Pigs

Other animals (sheep, goat, horses, etc.)

Cows

Pigs

Other animals (sheep, goat, horses, etc.)

Supplementary item about method for moving animals

■ Survey period: May through July 2016
■ Survey conducted by: NPO Animal Rights Center ;
■ Target of Survey: Slaughterhouses (177 facilities in operation) ;
■ Number of Respondents: 96 facilities (54% answered) *We did not include the facilities that mentioned only the kinds of animals they have in this count. ;

Cows: 78 facilities
Pigs: 79facilities
Other animals (sheep, goat, horses, etc.):30 facilities
*some facilities overlap

42 out of 77 facilities replied that their animals could drink water any time (55%).
65 facilities said animals have to wait longer than 10 hours until they get slaughtered. 37 out of these replied that animals have full access to water (57%).

Max hours of waiting after arriving in slaughterhouses	Use shower as drinking water	Animals cannot drink	Animals can drink (not all the time)	Animals can drink any time	Total
More than 10 hours	7	8	14	37	66
2 hours or more but shorter than 10 hours	1	3	1	2	7
Less than 2 hours		2		2	4
Unknown				1	1
Total	8	13	15	42	78

19 out of 77 facilities replied that their animals could drink water any time (25%).
69 facilities said animals have to wait longer than 10 hours until they get slaughtered. 17 out of these replied that animals have full access to water (25%).

Max hours of waiting after arriving in slaughterhouses	Use shower as drinking water	Animals cannot drink	Animals can drink (not all the time)	Animals can drink any time	Total
More than 10 hours	51	1	2	17	71
2 hours or more but shorter than 10 hours	3	1			4
Less than 2 hours	1	1		1	3
Unknown				1	1
total	55	3	2	19	79

6 out of 29 facilities replied that their animals could drink water any time (21%).
14 facilities said animals have to wait longer than 10 hours until they get slaughtered. 4 out of these replied that animals have full access to water (29%).

*Without transportation time

22 facilities replied that they use stun guns. 4 out of these, however, said it is “when it is necessary” or a “last resort”.
1 facility replied they use a flag (stick) *, ethical equipment just like a panel, which will be explained in supplementary item about method for moving animals.
* A stick with a flag on the edge to poke animals lightly.

Electrical equipment such as stun guns	22
No equipment is used	18
Use Rope	16
Use Rope on bridles	4
Use Rope on nose rings	4
Automated conveyers	4
Wooden sticks	2
Panels	2
Branches	1
Hoses	1
Plastic hoses	1
Sticks	1
Iron sticks	1
Plastic bats	1
Electric winches	1
Flags	1
Total	80

* Some replied “pushed by hand”, “move by humans”, or “moved by hand” respectively, which are included in “No equipment is used.”
* Some facilities overlap their replies.
* 9 facilities did not reply.

39 facilities replied that they use stun guns. 5 out of these, however, said it is “when it is necessary” or a “necessity minimum”. Stun gun use for pigs is as high as 51% (39 out of 77 facilities.) On the other hand, panel use, considered an ethical method, is used by 20 facilities out of 77 (26%.)

Electrical equipment such as stun guns	40
Panels	20
Plastic bats	10
No equipment is used	6
Automated conveyers	4
Wooden sticks	4
Plastic sticks	3
Rubber hoses	3
Rubber sticks	2
Hoses	2
Movable fences	2
Iron sticks	1
Plastic hoses	1
Plastic pipe	1
Flags	1
Total	100

* Movable fences have boards to move pigs so as not to excite them.
* One replied they “tap by hand”, which is included in “No equipment is used.”
* Some replied “boards” or “Styrofoam boards”, which are included in “Panels.”
* Some facilities overlap their replies.
* 2 facilities did not reply.

No equipment is used	14
Ropes	6
Panels	3
Electrical equipment such as stun guns	2
Wooden sticks	2
Total	27

* Some replied they “push by hand” or “move by humans, which are included in “No equipment is used.”
* Some facilities overlap their replies.
* 4 facilities did not reply.

Max hours of waiting after arriving in slaughterhouses

Use shower as drinking water

Animals cannot drink

Animals can drink (not all the time)

Animals can drink any time

More than 10 hours

2 hours or more but shorter than 10 hours

Less than 2 hours

According to the chapter 7.5, Slaughter of Animals in Terrestrial Animal Health Code by OIE equipment “should not be used repeatedly if the animal fails to respond or move.” Especially, “Electric goads and prods should only be used in extreme cases and not on a routine basis to move animals.” Even when no equipment is used, painful procedures, including kicking, tail twisting, use of nose twitches, should be avoided. Also, they suggest useful goads, including panels, flags, plastic paddles, flappers (a length of cane with a short strap of leather or canvas attached), plastic bags and metallic rattles; they should be used in a manner sufficient to encourage and direct movement of the animals without causing undue stress.
There are many methods used overseas that do not force animals with equipment. For example, obstacles to which animals tend to shrink back from, such as sudden changes in light, yellow boots worn by workers, workers’ clothes hung on slopes, shadow forward, are removed.
The chapter 7.5, Slaughter of Animals in Terrestrial Animal Health Code by OIEalso directs how animals should be moved smoothly. The Animal Rights Center submitted a proposal to slaughterhouses with the method in the chapter.
http://www.hopeforanimals.org/animals/slaughter/00/id=416 (JP Only)

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