Online guide for humane killing during disease control developed
The Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) has produced a new online guide which covers the humane killing of livestock during disease control operations.
Forming part of its strategy to promote the highest standards of welfare worldwide for food animals, the guide covers a variety of species from neonates to adults, the various methods of humane killing of livestock, protocols, types of equipment available and gives examples of best practice and information on risk assessment for both the operator and animal welfare.
HSA’s new online guide forms part of its strategy to promote the highest standards of welfare worldwide for food animals.
Including illustrations, it has reportedly had input from industry experts and, while “primarily aimed” at the veterinary profession, slaughter personnel, farm staff, livestock handlers and government agencies, the guidance is intended for the global industry.
Charles Mason, technical director of the HSA, commented: “This guide pulls together a wealth of information and materials into one resource and has been made readily available to enable easy access worldwide to this information for high animal welfare standards that may otherwise be difficult to obtain.”
The guide joins others already available on the charity’s website, providing a portfolio of best practice in humane handling and slaughter and can be found at www.hsa.org.uk/diseasecontrol.
HSA staff are also currently working on plans to develop interactive multi-media options for the HSA online guides, in order to enhance the users’ experience by allowing them to test their knowledge and take part in simulated situations in which their actions may directly affect the outcome, so making the training more realistic.
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