ZCEU.htm

NR ZCEU

AU Laursen,A.M.

TI Choosing between CO2 and electrical stunning of pigs. A preliminary examination of stress and ethics

QU CEC-Seminar "Stunning of Animals for Slaughter", 13.-15. Oktober 1982, ZEIST / Niederlande, Martinus Nijhoff Publ., 1983

PT Proceedings

AB The theoretical basis for evaluation of pain in animals is incomplete, and most studies have rested on a definition of pain which is too narrow. Modern definitions take into account the considerable effects of emotional and motivational factors in the pain-experience. Also the methods for the general evaluation of the state of consciousness are far from satisfactory. The relation between consciousness and EEG, for instance, is not the same for different anesthetics. Applying these principles to the problem of stunning animals for slaughtering it is necessary to consider the emotional stress involved in the situation as it builds up during the hours before the moment of slaughtering. We have measured blood cortisol and found a large increase beginning the moment the animal was removed from its home pen. We interprete the situation to indicate, that the pigs in the final passage for slaughtering are in a state of extreme stress and that this is of decisive importance in evaluating the final procedure. We conclude that electrical stunning with at least 300 V and anesthesia with 70% CO2 both are acceptable procedures, and that possible differences between these procedures are insignificant when considered on the background the general state of stress. Future development should aim at reducing this stress.

SP englisch

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