Proceedings

Variation of reported meat inspection findings of slaughter pigs in Finland

Authors: M. Fredriksson-Ahomaa (University of Helsinki) , M. Rahkio (Finnish Food Authority) , R. Laukkanen-Ninios (University of Helsinki)

Abstract

Meat inspection data can be used for animal health and welfare monitoring (Horst et al., 2019; Stärk et al., 2014). However, the reported meat inspection findings can vary between slaughterhouses due to various reasons. The variation can be related to slaughterhouse arrangements such as slaughter line speed and light, lesion coding and recording methodology, but also personnel inspecting the carcasses (Horst et al., 2019). In Finland, abscesses, arthritis, milk spots, pericarditis, pleuritis and pneumonia of slaughter pigs are monitored in meat inspection (MAF 6/EEO/2012). According to the decree, the slaughterhouse operator is obliged to deliver the data to the pig producer from each batch. In addition, the official veterinarian has to notify the regional state administrative agency responsible for the animal welfare control of the farms where the proportion of arthritis, abscesses or tail bites exceed twice the mean of the slaughterhouse. The aim of this study was to assess the variation of these reported meat inspection findings in pig slaughterhouses in Finland.

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How to Cite: Fredriksson-Ahomaa, M. , Rahkio, M. & Laukkanen-Ninios, R. (2019) “Variation of reported meat inspection findings of slaughter pigs in Finland”, SafePork. 13(1). doi: https://doi.org//safepork.11447