Click to go back to the homepage
AMPC MLA
Content Start.

Slaughter tasks

The use of technology can significantly improve the efficiency and productivity of any processing plant. MLA's research and development activities in this area aim to improve the effectiveness of slaughter tasks while reducing the cost to the processor. Project areas include:

  • Stunning and bleeding
  • Immobilisation
  • Stimulation
  • Rodding and sealing the weasand

Stunning and bleeding

The type of stunning method used during the slaughter process can affect meat quality either through pre-slaughter stress or blood removal. Occupational health and safety (OH&S), animal welfare and ritual slaughter requirements are also important factors during the stunning and bleeding phases of the slaughter process.

MLA's Alternative Stunning Research (ASR) Program aims to improve the effectiveness of pre-slaughter stunning while reducing the cost to the processor and at the same time enhancing market access and community acceptability. The strategy being implemented is to gain community, welfare and regulatory acceptance for the technologies that are being developed and trial them at participating processors. Input is also obtained from potential commercialisers of these new technologies.

Program objectives

The following objectives for stunning technologies have been identified. Technologies are judged against these objectives:

  • Safeguard Australia’s Halal market access
  • Improve animal welfare
  • Guarantee meat quality
  • Improve OH&S for processing staff
  • Reduce labour and operating costs
  • Avoid spread of potential specific risk materials (SRM)

Stimulation

During slaughter and dressing, carcases may be subjected to a range of electrical inputs. These are used to:

  • Limit the danger to slaughterers from kicking
  • Assist rapid bleeding
  • Prevent broken backs from hide pulling
  • Optimise meat quality

Each of these applications may require a specific current, waveform and frequency. Use of incorrect electrical parameters may result in damage to the carcase, poor meat quality and safety risks.

Devices that apply electrical inputs at various points on the slaughter floor are used extensively by Australian processors. Research, funded by MLA, has been undertaken over the last few years to develop electrical parameters best suited to each application. A suite of equipment utilising this electrical stimulation (ES) technology has been developed.