The relationship between the status of Irish slaughter pigs detained ante mortem and their meat inspection outcome

Temporary Veterinary Inspectors (TVIs) detain slaughter pigs ante mortem (AM) for closer inspection if they have concerns regarding their health and welfare. In this study, we evaluated 164 detained pigs, all passed as fit for slaughter, to investigate if there is a relationship between the AM status of detained pigs and their condemnation level post mortem (PM).

Data collection took place over 5 days in a single Irish abattoir. The 1st data collection point was at AM inspection, where reasons for detaining pigs were recorded on the basis of of the TVI decision on duty. All detained pigs were tattooed with a ‘special attention’ (SA) number for identification on the slaughter line. The 2nd data collection point was at the TVI station where the result of the PM meat inspection e.g. condemnation status and reason for condemnation, was recorded based on the decision of the acting TVI. The % of detained pigs that were condemned PM, both fully and partially, was calculated. The primary reasons for AM detention and PM condemnation were also evaluated. The association between AM status of detained pigs and the likelihood of being condemned was analysed using univariable binomial logistic regression for each AM status. Reason for condemnation was analysed using a Chi-square test.

Pigs examined in this study (n=164) represented 81% of all pigs detained during the data collection period. 54% of detained pigs were fully passed as fit for human consumption, 26% were partially and 16% fully condemned (4% of SA pigs were missed on the slaughter line). Lameness was the main reason for detaining pigs AM (37% of cases), followed by hernias (18%; 83% umbilical; 17% scrotal) and tail lesions (14%). Rectal prolapse, stressed/exhausted and posterior paralysis had a prevalence of c. 7% each. No significant relationship was found between the reasons for AM detention and the likelihood of condemnation or with the reasons for condemnation (P> 0.05). However, 38% of hernia and 50% of tail lesion cases were condemned (fully or partially) due to abscesses while 40% of prolapse cases were condemned due to multiple abscesses. Abscess(es) were the most common (31%) reason for full or partial condemnation of detained pigs.

Lameness, hernias and tail lesions were the most common reasons for detaining pigs AM. Abscess(es) was the primary identified reason for PM condemnation. Finally, there was no relationship between reasons for detaining pigs AM and reasons for full or partial condemnation.

Disclosure of Interest: None Declared.