Abattoir antemortem inspection protocol: Observation of unloading improves detection of transport welfare compromises in livestock

BACKGROUND: Ensuring livestock welfare throughout the production chain, including transport, is an ethical and regulatory imperative. However, protocols to assess transport-related welfare during routine abattoir inspections are not standardised, including antemortem (AM) inspection by an official veterinarian at UK abattoirs. This project proposes a novel unloading-inclusive AM protocol to address potential gaps in current transport practices. METHODS: An unloading-inclusive AM protocol was designed to detect specific welfare compromises in transported livestock at a UK abattoir over one working week. RESULTS: A total of 94 cattle/buffalo, 2508 sheep/goats and 781 pigs were observed; 1749 animals during unloading and 1634 in the lairage after unloading. Compared to only observing animals in the lairage, observing the unloading of animals significantly increased the detection of welfare compromises, especially behavioural (e.g., lameness, slipping and falling). LIMITATIONS: The focus on a single abattoir and a short observation period may limit generalisability and introduce bias. The lack of a 'gold standard' for welfare assessment makes validation of this protocol not possible. CONCLUSIONS: Systematically observing every animal during unloading as part of the official AM inspection protocol would improve feedback to farmers/transporters to ensure early detection and intervention in welfare concerns, ultimately enhancing animal welfare and food chain safety.