The EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the use of high-expansion foam for stunning and killing pigs and poultry. A dossier was provided by the applicant as the basis for an assessment of the extent to which the method is able to provide a level of animal welfare at least equivalent to that ensured by the currently allowed methods for pigs and poultry. According to legislation, to be approved in the EU, new stunning methods must ensure (1) the absence of pain, distress or suffering until the onset of unconsciousness, and (2) that the animal remains unconscious until death. An ad hoc Working Group set up by EFSA performed the assessment as follows: (1) The data provided were checked against the criteria laid down in the EFSA Guidance (EFSA, 2018), and was found to partially fulfil those criteria; (2) extensive literature search; (3) data extraction for quantitative assessment; (4) qualitative exercise based on non-formal expert elicitation. The assessment led to conclude that it is more likely than not (certainty > 50%-100%) that high-expansion foam for stunning and killing pigs and poultry, named NEFS in container (Nitrogen Expansion Foam Stunning in container), provides a level of welfare at least equivalent to one or more of the currently allowed methods listed in Annex I of Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009. The overall assessment of EFSA is valid only under the technical conditions described in this Opinion for laying hens, broiler chickens of all age and pigs weighing 15-41 kg in situations other than slaughter. The overall assessment of EFSA is that NEFS can be suitable for depopulation using containers for pig and poultry farms respecting the technical conditions and the categories and types of animals defined in this Scientific Opinion.

During the CO2 stunning of pigs, a variation in their reaction to the gas and the duration of the induction period is observed. The stunning process can be affected by several conditions, such as stressful events and previous experiences, but the stocking density in the gondola may also have an impact. The objective was to investigate the effect of stocking density on the stunning process under commercial conditions. To quantify the pigs\' reactions under industrial settings with a stocking density of up to eight pigs pr. Gondola (3.91 m2), the activity level was measured using an AI solution. Compared with a simulation of the expected induction period, a significantly longer induction period was found in gondolas containing seven and eight pigs (p < 0.001) but not when the gondolas contained three or four pigs. Both high and mean activity levels were significantly higher when stocking density was increased from three or four pigs to seven or eight pigs. The stunning process was thus negatively affected when increasing the stocking density. More knowledge is needed to explain this effect and to make statements on optimal stocking density. The measured activity levels may be a useful tool for obtaining information under commercial conditions and for documenting animal welfare.

This study evaluated the ability of 2 penetrating captive bolt (PCB) types (PISTOL, INLINE) to reach and disrupt the thalamus when applied in 2 placements (FRONTAL, BEHIND EAR) to chilled cadaver heads (N = 60) from sows >200 kg. Heads were randomly distributed across 6 treatments (n = 10): FRONTAL-INLINE, FRONTAL-PISTOL, FRONTAL-NO SHOT, BEHIND EAR-INLINE, BEHIND EAR-PISTOL, and BEHIND EAR-NO SHOT. The FRONTAL shot was placed 3.5 cm superior to the optic orbits at the midline; the BEHIND EAR shot was placed directly caudal to the pinna of the ear on the same plane as the eyes and targeting the middle of the opposite eye. For INLINE treatments, a Jarvis PAS-Type C 0.25R Super Heavy Duty PCB with a Long Bolt and 6.0 GR power loads was used. For PISTOL treatments, a Jarvis PAS-Type P 0.25R Pistol PCB with a Long Stunning Rod Nosepiece Assembly and 3.5 GR power loads was used. Heads were split along the bolt with a band saw. Tissue depth measurements are reported as Mean ± SE followed by 97.5% one-sided upper reference limit (URL). Total tissue thickness was less (P < 0.0001) at the FRONTAL (56.31 ± 1.76 mm; URL: 73.17 mm) than the BEHIND EAR placement (95.52 ± 3.30 mm; URL: 126.53 mm). Thalamic depth was less (P < 0.0001) at the FRONTAL (78.31 ± 1.32 mm; URL: 88.19 mm) than the BEHIND EAR placement (111.86 ± 3.22 mm; URL: 135.99 mm). The effective angle was greater (P < 0.0001) at the FRONTAL (4.72 ± 0.20°) than the BEHIND EAR placement (3.22 ± 0.17°). Potential for bolt-brain contact was not different (P = 1.0000) between FRONTAL-INLINE (10/10, 100% ± 0.01%), FRONTAL-PISTOL (10/10, 100% ± 0.01%), BEHIND EAR-INLINE (9/10, 90% ± 9.49%), and BEHIND EAR-PISTOL (10/10, 100% ± 0.01%); brain damage (P = 0.5577) between FRONTAL-INLINE (9/9, 100% ± 0.02%), FRONTAL-PISTOL (10/10, 100% ± 0.02%), BEHIND EAR-INLINE (4/10, 40% ± 15.49%), and BEHIND EAR-PISTOL (1/10, 10% ± 9.49%); potential for bolt-thalamus contact (P = 0.0683) for FRONTAL-INLINE (2/10, 20% ± 12.65%), FRONTAL-PISTOL (8/10, 80% ± 12.65%), BEHIND EAR-INLINE (7/9, 77.78% ± 13.86%), and BEHIND EAR-PISTOL (9/9, 100% ± 0.02%); or thalamic damage (P = 0.8041) for FRONTAL-INLINE (1/10, 10% ± 9.49%), FRONTAL-PISTOL (1/10, 10% ± 9.49%), BEHIND EAR-INLINE (2/8, 25% ± 15.31%), and BEHIND EAR-PISTOL (0/9, 0% ± 0.00%). The FRONTAL placement with an INLINE PCB may present the least risk of failure for the PCB euthanasia of mature sows >200 kg body weight due to less total tissue thickness and thalamic depth, greater effective angle, and prevalent brain damage.
Euthanasia is a necessary procedure to safeguard animal welfare on swine farms. Penetrating captive bolt (PCB) is often used to euthanize sows by passing a metal bolt through the animal’s skull and into the brain. This causes severe brain damage with the anticipated result of an immediate loss of consciousness. This study evaluated frontal and behind-ear PCB placements for sows weighing more than 200 kg with 2 commercially available types of PCB devices. The frontal placement, when used with an inline free-flight PCB device, may be more reliable than other placement and device combinations due to less total tissue thickness, more room for error with positioning the PCB, and prevalent brain damage.

Penetrating captive bolt (PCB) is the primary method of preslaughter stunning for cattle and is also used for on-farm euthanasia. The objective of this study was to quantify the impact of cooling on the soft tissue thickness, cranial thickness, total tissue thickness, and cross-sectional brain area of cadaver heads collected from mature (> 30 mo of age) dairy cows following the application of a PCB stun in a frontal placement. Hide-on cadaver heads were obtained from culled dairy cows (N = 37) stunned in a frontal location using a handheld PCB device (Jarvis Model PAS-Type C 0.25R Caliber Captive Bolt, Long Bolt) at a commercial slaughter establishment. Following transport to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, heads were split at midline along the bolt path by a bandsaw and then underwent FRESH, CHILL24, CHILL48, and CHILL72 refrigeration treatments. The FRESH treatment involved images collected immediately after splitting each head, the CHILL24 treatment involved images collected after 24 h of refrigeration, the CHIL48 treatment involved images collected after 48 h of refrigeration, and the CHILL72 treatment involved images collected after 72 h of refrigeration. Measurements of soft tissue thickness, cranial thickness, total tissue thickness, and cross-sectional brain area were recorded for each refrigeration treatment. Soft tissue thickness did not differ caudal to (P = 0.3751) or rostral to (P = 0.2555) the bolt path. Cranial thickness did not differ caudal to (P = 0.9281) or rostral to (P = 0.9051) the bolt path. Total tissue thickness did not differ caudal to (P = 0.9225; FRESH: 24.77 mm, CHILL24: 23.93 mm, CHILL48: 24.27 mm, CHILL72: 42.30, SE: 0.86) or rostral to (P = 0.8931; FRESH: 24.09 mm, CHILL24: 23.99, CHILL48: 24.26, CHILL72: 24.43 mm, SE: 0.79 mm) the bolt path. Cross-sectional brain area was not different (P = 0.0971) between refrigeration treatments (FRESH: 9,829.65 ± 163.87 mm2, CHILL24: 10,012.00 ± 163.87 mm2, CHILL48: 9,672.43 ± 163.87 mm2, CHILL72: 10,235.00 ± 166.34 mm2). This study demonstrated that FRESH tissue parameters can be determined from cattle cadaver heads refrigerated for 24, 48, or 72 h.

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The demand for ethical foods is rising, with halal foods playing a significant role in this trend. However, halal standards vary globally, which can have substantial implications. Multiple Halal Certification Bodies (HCBs) can approve food products but they often prioritize national regulations over international alignment. To explore the similarities and differences in halal standards, we conducted a critical analysis of various standards, including Pakistan\'s halal standards, the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries, Majlis Ugama Islam Singapore, Majelis Ulama Indonesia, GCC Standardization Organization, Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia, ASEAN General Guideline, and the halal standards of Thailand, Iran, and Brunei, through a literature survey. While some commonalities exist, differences stemming from various Islamic schools of thought pose challenges for regulators, consumers, and food producers. Controversial issues include stunning, slaughtering, aquatic animals, insects, and labeling requirements. For example, all standards except the GSO allow non-Muslim slaughterers, and stunning is permitted in all standards except those of Pakistan. These disparities underscore the need for standardization and harmonization in the halal food industry to meet the growing demand for ethical foods.

Muslim scholars are not unanimous on the issue of the application of stunning in the halal slaughtering of animals. Appropriate stunning makes animals unconscious instantaneously, thus avoiding unnecessary pain and stress during the slaughtering of animals. The present review comprehensively summarizes the available scientific literature on stunning methods in view of their halal compliance during the slaughter of animals. The issue of maximum blood loss, reversibility of consciousness, and animals remaining alive during the halal cut are the key determinants of approval of stunning in the halal slaughter. Further, missed stuns due to poor maintenance of equipment, improper applications, and poor restraining necessitates additional stunning attempts, which further aggravates pain and stress in animals. Scientific findings suggest that halal-compliant stunning technologies are reversible, do not kill animals prior to the halal cut, and do not obstruct blood loss. There is a need to carry out further research on the refinement of available stunning technologies and their application, proper restraints, proper identification of the death status of animals, and assurance of animal welfare in commercial halal meat production.

The main objective of this study was to describe tissue thicknesses of cadaver heads from physically castrated market barrows (PC MARKET BARROWS) and immunocastrated boars (IC BOARS) at the frontal penetrating captive bolt (PCB) placement. Other objectives were to describe differences in bolt force and energy requirements to penetrate and describe potential for bolt-thalamus contact. Forty-four heads were obtained from PC MARKET BARROWS (n = 22) and IC BOARS (n = 22) of similar age and size that were rendered insensible with CO2. Mean HCW was 117.32 ± 3.52 kg. Snout to poll distance (cm) and maximum deflection distance (cm) were collected in duplicate. Heads were split at midline with a bandsaw and soft tissue and cranial thicknesses were measured with a digital caliper. Images of each cut surface were collected to evaluate the potential for thalamic damage. Tissue samples were retained from each half of each head and a universal tester was used to determine maximum force and energy of bolt penetration. There was no evidence to support a significant difference (P > 0.05) in tissue thicknesses between PC MARKET BARROWS and IC BOARS. Maximum deflection distance (maximum distance from a straight edge that was placed from the tip of the snout to the poll of the head) was not different (P = 0.10) between PC MARKET BARROWS (3.31 ± 0.10 cm) and IC BOARS (3.08 ± 0.10 cm). There was no evidence to support a difference (P = 0.77) in maximum force between PC MARKET BARROWS (7130.32 ± 483.23 N) and IC BOARS (6974.60 ± 463.70 N). There was also no evidence to support a difference (P = 0.62) in maximum energy between PC MARKET BARROWS (33.37 ± 2.77 J) and IC BOARS (32.04 ± 2.50 J). For PC MARKET BARROWS, there was a difference (P = 0.05) between the number of heads where the thalamus was located within the theoretical plane of bolt travel for market placement (21/21) versus mature placement (16/21). For IC BOARS, the number of heads where the thalamus was located within the plane of theoretical bolt path was not different between the two PCB placements (19/21 each). Overall, the data suggest that tissue profiles of PC MARKET BARROWS and IC BOARS do not differ at the frontal PCB placement site and the mechanical tools that are effective for PC MARKET BARROWS should also be effective for IC BOARS.

1. This study evaluated the suitability of routine analytical procedures and used mass spectrometry-based proteomic approaches to distinguish meat from dead chicken/ cold-slaughtered birds (CS), electrically stunned and slaughtered birds, as per standard protocols (ES), and birds slaughtered according to halal guidelines (HS).2. Meat from CS birds had lower (P < 0.05) pH, water-holding capacity and higher (P < 0.05) lipid oxidation, haem iron content, residual blood and total viable counts relative to ES and HS meat indicating poor quality.3. The results demonstrated the presence of unique protein bands on SDS-PAGE only in CS meat that can be used for routine screening.4. Protein analysis using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry identified haemoglobin subunit alpha-A and alpha-D; Adenylate kinase isoenzyme 1 as reliable and stable marker proteins for authentication of dead chicken meat under raw and cooked conditions and halal slaughtered chicken, respectively.5. The methods used may be employed by the food safety and regulatory agencies for regular screening of meat quality and to authenticate CS or HS chicken.

The slaughter process in livestock is considered a stressor where the transport and handling of animals, as well as the selected stunning and bleeding methods, can cause acute pain, distress, and suffering. In water buffaloes, although stunning is known to be performed before bleeding to induce unconsciousness, no emphasis is made on the nociceptive events during this process. Particularly, current mechanical stunning methods applied to cattle are unsuitable for water buffaloes due to anatomical differences in the skull from other large ruminants. Furthermore, although very high-pressure pneumatic (200-220 psi) may be effective in the frontal position for lighter-weight water buffalos, for heavier animals, it is less likely to be effective. The present review aims: (1) to analyze the anatomical particularities of water buffaloes to discuss the importance of selecting a stunning method suitable for buffaloes, and (2) to revise the potential pain-related consequences, such as hyperalgesia and sensitization, and the signs to assess the stun quality and death to comprehend the relevance of a proper technique according to the species.