Overview

The humane handling of food animals is important for animal welfare and meat quality, at all stages of the process, including:

  • on the farm
  • during transport
  • at livestock auctions
  • at slaughter plants

Consumers want their food to come from animals that were treated with care during production and processing. Many food processors are now being audited for animal welfare by their retail customers.

Animal welfare and the Food Safety and Quality Act

In Ontario, Regulation 31/05 (Meat) under the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001 (FSQA) ensures that food animals are handled and slaughtered humanely at provincially licensed slaughter plants. The regulation requires that:

  • the slaughter process be conducted in a way that does not subject animals to avoidable pain or distress
  • the equipment or instrument to restrain, slaughter or render a food animal unconscious must be operated by competent and physically able persons to do so without subjecting the animal to avoidable pain or distress
  • the condition of the equipment or instrument and the circumstances under which it is used will not subject the animal to avoidable pain or distress

Food safety inspectors

Food safety inspectors from Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) monitor compliance with these requirements.  Food safety inspectors are present at provincially licensed slaughter plants during all slaughter shifts.

Food safety inspectors inspect:

  • each animal before and after slaughter
  • premises
  • operational practices

If operations do not meet standards, including animal welfare standards, they have the authority to:

  • stop slaughter
  • detain product
  • issue compliance orders

Food safety inspectors and appointed veterinarians are supported by area managers, veterinary scientists and regional veterinarians. They provide advice on all matters related to animal welfare at slaughter plants including:

  • facilities
  • handling
  • restraint
  • stunning
  • bleeding
  • compromised and unfit animals

Resources for operators

Resources are available to help operators ensure food animals are handled humanely: