S.P.C.A. CARRIES OUT DOMINION SURVEY OF SLAUGHTERHOUSES

Wanganui Chronicle, 10 June 1948, Page 5

S.P.C.A. CARRIES OUT DOMINION SURVEY OF SLAUGHTERHOUSES

<PA) Wellington June 9 That only 20 of the 58 slaughterhouses visited throughout the Dominion employed satisfactory killing methods is stated in a report issued today bv the Dominion president or the New Zealand Federation of the S.P.C.A. This follows a Dominion survey carried out by Mr. K. HJames, of Palmerston North, from works at Moerewa, Bay of Islands, to Ocean Beachy Bluif, excluding Poverty Bay and Bay of Plenty. The report stated that stock passing through licensed sla l u B l )JetJJ9’^. s annually numbered nearly 20,000.000. including about 11.000,000 lambs and 4.500.000 sheep. 1.000,000 cattle 750.000 pigs, and 1,250,000 calves. There was no legislative enactment governing the methods of slaughtering and handling of stock and the investigation schedule aimed at a comprehensive survey of the position. Specific reference was made to Kosher killfeommenting 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 a 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 the S.PIC.A. standards.

Five different methods were employed in killing cattle. It was considered that use of the rifle hammer, pith or pole-ax was not satisfactory. A 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 willingness to try the system, even should it mean some adaptations

Little reform was consdered necessary in the actual slaughtering of calves, but it was recommended that the federation still press for 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 invest igat ion.