KILLING METHODS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26794, 10 June 1948, Page 6

KILLING METHODS

NEED FOR REFORM SLAUGHTER HOUSES VISITED COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY p.A. . WELLINGTON, June 9. That only 20 of 58 slaughterhouses visited throughout the Dominion employed satisfactory killing methods is stated in a report issued to-day by the Dominion president of the New Zealand Federation of the S.P.C.A. This follows a Dominion survey carried out by Mr It. H. James, of Palmerston__ North, of works at Moerewa, Bay of Islands, to Ocean Beach, Bluff, excluding Poverty Bay and the Bay of Plenty. The report stated that stock passing through licensed slaughterhouses anually numbered nearly 20.000,000, including about 11,000,000 lambs and 4 500.000 sheep, 1,000,000 cattle, 750,000 p'igs and 1,250,000 calves. There was no legislative enactment- governing methods of slaughtering or handling stock, and the investigation schedule aimed at a comprehensive survey of the position. Specific reference was made to kosher killing. .... Commenting on killing methods, Mr James said that the almost universal method of slaughtering sheep, which provided for cutting the throat, breaking the neck and severing the spinal cord in one operation, must be regarded as satisfactory. In only one instance had he found sheep slaughtered without the neck being broken simultaneously with the killing operation. In the North Island, sheep were mostly handled mechanically by the trip system, and in the South Island the solo system was still used. Both methods fully conformed with S.P.C.A. standards. Five different methods were employed in killing cattle. It was considered that the use of a rifle hammer or pole-axe was not satisfactory. Ihe captive bolt stunning gun, used either on the forehead or via the medulla, was the best instrument thus far evolved. . , The greatest need for reform was found in pig killing. In the majority of cases, said the report, pigs were shackled and stuck without prior stunning. Previous trials with electric stunning had proved unsatisfactory, but throughout the, country Mr James encountered a willingness to try the system even should it mean some adaptations. . Little reform was considered necessary in the actual slaughtering of calves, but it was recommended that the federation still press for the zoning of freezing works as applied to calves. Of the 58 slaughterhouses visited 22 were considered in need of reform, and a further 16 merited mvestigati on.