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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
The increase in the slaughter of pregnant cows (SPCs) for meat (except as may be approved
by veterinarians on health grounds to salvage the animal) is unethical. SPCs for meat is also
counterproductive, detrimental to food security, and may enhance zoonotic disease transmission.
In this context, therefore, this current study examined slaughter conditions and the slaughtering of
pregnant cows, and the implications for meat quality, food safety, and food security in Southeast
Nigeria. The direct observational method was employed to examine the slaughterhouse activities,
from when the cattle arrived at the lairage to the post-slaughter stage. A pre-tested and validated
closed-ended-questionnaire was used to elicit information on causes of the SPCs and the method
of disposal of eviscerated foetuses. Pregnancy status of cows slaughtered was determined by
palpation followed by visual examination of the eviscerated and longitudinal incised uteri. The
study lasted for six months during which 851 cows out of 1931 slaughtered cattle were surveyed.
Assessment/decision-making protocol of slaughterhouse conditions, welfare conditions of slaughter-
cattle, reasons for sale or slaughter of pregnant cows, distribution of pregnant cows slaughtered,
method of disposal of eviscerated foetuses, and estimated economic losses of SPCs were delineated.
Of the 851 cows examined, 17.4% (148/851) were pregnant while 43.2% (64/148) of the total foetuses
recovered were in their third trimester. Major reasons adduced for SPCs by proportion of involved
respondents were: ignorance of the animals’ pregnancy status (69.7%, 83/119), high demand for beef
(61.3%, 73/119), preference for large-sized cattle (47.9%, 57/119), economic hardship (52.1%, 62/119)
and diseases conditions (42.9%. 51/119). The conduct of SPCs for meat would not be profitable. This
is because within six months, an estimated loss of about 44,000 kg of beef, equivalent to ₦ 70.1 million
or $186,400 would be associated with SPCs and the consequential foetal wastages. If losses were to be
replicated nationwide across slaughterhouses, 4.3 tons of beef estimated at ₦ 8.6 billion or $23 million
would be wasted. Improving slaughter conditions and the welfare of slaughter-cattle in Nigerian
slaughterhouses through advocacy, training of slaughterhouse workers, and strict implementation of laws promoting humane slaughter practices is imperative. Preventing SPCs for meat and inhumane
slaughter practices at the slaughterhouse would enhance the welfare needs of slaughter cattle, grow
the national herd size, and improve meat safety as well as food security.
Description
Keywords
Animal welfare Bovine foetal wastage Food safety and security Meat quality National herd size Slaughter of pregnant cows
Citation
Njoga UJ, Njoga EO, Nwobi OC, Abonyi FO, Edeh HO, Ajibo FE, Azor N, Bello A, Upadhyay AK, Okpala COR, Korzeniowska M, Guiné RPF. (2021) Slaughter Conditions and Slaughtering of Pregnant Cows in Southeast Nigeria: Implications to Meat Quality, Food Safety and Security. Foods, 10(6), 1298: 1-19.