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Killing of animals for disease control

This session explores the why, how, and when of killing animals for disease control, emphasizing the aim to prevent disease spread, remove suffering, and maintain a sustainable food chain while upholding animal and human welfare. Discussions include traditional methods, advancements, contingency planning, and ethical considerations in the context of regional expectations.

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Killing of animals for disease control

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  1. 3rd OIE conference on Animal Welfare – Implementing the OIE standards – addressing regional expectations Killing of animals for disease control Dr. Rebeca Garcia Pinillos, United Kingdom, DEFRA

  2. Acknowledgments • UK CVO, Nigel Gibbens • Animal Welfare Team DEFRA (Sue Ellis, Head of the AW Team, Geoff Webdale, AW slaughter and killing team) and AW researchers. • Gordon Hickman, Head of contingency planning, AHVLA;

  3. Acknowledgments

  4. Overview • Aim of killing for disease control • Why, how and when • Contingency planning • Methods: traditional / novel / improvements • Developments in the EU / Ethics / Human welfare • Conclusions

  5. Aim of killing for disease control Why ? How ? When ?

  6. Aim – Why ? • Prevent • disease spread within susceptible animal population • Remove • infected animals - suffering • animals at high risk – prevention • Maintain • Sustainable food chain • Health status • Animal welfare • Human health and welfare (Zoonoses)

  7. Aim – Why? Suffering / prevention – 5 freedoms Fear and Distress

  8. Aim - How? • Most humane way available • Timeliness • Logistics • Available resources • Health and safety – for people and the environment (biosecurity)

  9. Aim – How ? Preparation Preparation Preparation

  10. Aim – When ?

  11. Aim – When ? Source: National Audit Office: The 2001 Outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease

  12. Contingency planning Prevent Remove Maintain

  13. Contingency plan • Equipment • Methods • Timeliness • Logistics • Stakeholder engagement • Training: slaughtermen and supervisors • Media and communications Courtesy of Troy Gibson, RVC

  14. Contingency plan Prevent Remove Maintain

  15. Contingency plan – Responsibilities Pie

  16. Contingency plan • Robust • Tested and up to date • if no disease national / local exercise • Priorities for field operations • Supported by resource • Emergency response • Levels: civil / national / local

  17. Other applications: Disasters /emergencies • Contamination incidents • Industrial accidents • Deliberate acts • Severe weather • Natural disasters • Loss of power / technical issues • Transport (i.e. no feed) • Human disease

  18. Stunning / killing methods Traditional use Room for improvement New Developments

  19. Methods • Humane • including animal behaviour and handling • Efficient • Practical • Safe for people and the environment • Resilient – length of use • Sustainable – cost / maintenance

  20. Methods – traditional use • Veterinary drugs (injection / feed / water) • Maceration • Captive bolt followed by pithing • Free bullet • Electrical stun / electrocution • Gas

  21. Methods – room for improvement • Fire fighting foam – asphyxiation • Skips and waste bins – smothering • Cervical dislocation - operator fatigue / timings • Decapitation – time to unconsciousness • Aversive gases – CO2, exhaust gases (impure CO), cyanide • Poisonous substances

  22. Methods – new developments • Gas delivery Whole house / Containerised / Gas filled foam A.B.M. Raj, et al. Vet Record (2008) 162, 722-723

  23. Methods – new developments • Gas choices: • Ar/CO2 – 80:20 – welding gas • CO2 - Controlled progressive injection of CO2 instead of immersion in high aversive concentrations • Nitrogen • Validating concussion on piglets / kids

  24. Methods – new developments • Study on novel on farm methods for poultry • Study on polled /horned ewes and rams captive bolt for killing • Recommendations on position, velocity and kinetic energy to cause irreversible concussion leading to death, monitoring signs and effects of repeated use. Courtesy of Troy Gibson, RVC

  25. Methods – new developments Gibson, T.J., Ridler, A.L., Lamb, C.R., Williams, A., and Gregory, N.G. (2012). MH0140 Studies to examine the use of captive bolt guns as a killing method for horned and un-horned sheep over six months of age. Final report. DEFRA

  26. Methods – new developments Gibson, T.J., Ridler, A.L., Lamb, C.R., Williams, A., and Gregory, N.G. (2012). MH0140 Studies to examine the use of captive bolt guns as a killing method for horned and un-horned sheep over six months of age. Final report. DEFRA

  27. Developments in the EU • Regulation 1099/2009 • Report depopulation operations • Number and species killed • Methods used • Description of difficulties encountered and solutions to alleviate or minimise animal suffering • Derogations from routine welfare slaughter ADNS

  28. Ethics and human welfare links • “Moral duty to protect the welfare of farm animals and prevent unnecessary suffering, including in disasters and emergencies” (FAWC, 2012) • Human welfare • compromised if animal welfare is not protected • food security

  29. Conclusions • Animal Welfare – integral part of contingency plans for disease control killing • Most humane way available: • Timeliness • Logistics • Available resources • Contingency plans – expand to emergencies other than disease

  30. 3rd OIE conference on Animal Welfare – Implementing the OIE standards – addressing regional expectations Killing of animals for disease control Dr. Rebeca Garcia Pinillos United Kingdom, DEFRA • Dr. Rebeca Garcia Pinillos • rebeca.garcia@defra.gsi.gov.uk

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