The 2024 version of the Humane Slaughter Guidelines from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has been published online. One of the major changes is the new organization of the guidelines which will make them easier to use. For example, readers who are interested in cattle will not have to read guidelines for pigs or poultry. There is an introduction and a rules and regulations section that readers interested in all species should read. In the introduction, the signs for determining unconsciousness in animals are clearly stated. These two sections also contain information on both Humane Slaughter laws and industry guidelines. The animal consciousness guidelines are:Definitely Conscious:
- Standing posture
- Head-body righting reflex
- Voluntary vocalization
- Spontaneous blinking
- Eye pursuit
- Response to threat or menace reflex (No touching)
Before Invasive Dressing:
- Absence of corneal reflex, eyelash reflex (response to touch) and rhythmic breathing
When I teach Professional Animal Auditor Certification (PAACO) training, I want to make sure spontaneous blinking is not confused with Nystagmus (eye vibrating). Nystagmus may occur in an unconscious animal. Animal handlers need to look at animals in the yards to learn what spontaneous blinking looks like. The eyes make a complete cycle of opening and closing. The threat or menace reflex test is done by waving a hand close to the eye. The reflex is present if the animal blinks.
The guidelines are divided into eight sections. Some of the information in each section is repeated. The sections are listed in the order they appear.
Aquatics – It covers fish, shrimp, cephalopods and lobsters. It has extensive guidelines on methods to stun fish. Cephalopods (octopuses) are definitely conscious, and fish have EEG signals.
Poultry – It includes chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and other birds. Electrical, CAS (Controlled Atmosphere Stunning) and LAPS (Low Air Pressure Stunning) are covered. There is detailed information on electrical specifications for stunning, and useful troubleshooting information. Religious slaughter is also covered.
Bovids – It includes cattle, bison, and water buffalo. One important change is that the bolt velocity specifications have been removed. Captive bolt stunning equipment should be evaluated on its ability to induce instantaneous unconsciousness. The bolt velocity specifications were originally sourced from a well-known textbook. Further investigation indicated research data was not available to verify them. Plant maintenance departments should use test stands to verify stunner maintenance. There is also a useful section on firearm selection and bullets. This section will be very helpful for small plants. There are excellent diagrams for shot location along with useful troubleshooting tips.
Equids – horses and donkeys
Small Ruminants – sheep, goats, alpacas and llamas
Fur Bearers – rabbits, mink and foxes.
Swine – all types of swine. Captive bolt, electrical, and CO2 stunning are covered. The bolt velocity specifications have been removed. There are also some useful troubleshooting guides and a discussion about CO2 stunning.
Reptile and Amphibians – It covers alligators and frogs.
This AVMA Humane Slaughter document has many useful scientific references, and it contains an excellent summary of industry guidelines for both meat processing plant management and government inspectors.
