Occurrence and Reasons for On-Farm Emergency Slaughter (OFES) in Northern Italian Cattle

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Welfare
• Food Safety

Background:

• On-farm emergency slaughter (OFES) is crucial for animal welfare and food waste reduction when cattle are unfit for transport.
• Data on OFES practices in Northern Italy, a region with a large cattle population, is scarce.
• Understanding OFES patterns is vital for improving livestock management and food safety protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze patterns and trends of OFES in Northern Italy from 2021 to 2023.
• To identify the primary reasons for OFES and associated post-mortem findings.
• To evaluate the impact of regulatory changes on OFES incidence.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 12,052 OFES cases recorded between 2021 and 2023 in Northern Italy.
• Categorization of cases by animal demographics, farm type, reason for slaughter, and post-mortem condemnation sites.
• Statistical analysis to identify trends, significant factors, and weekly variations.

Main Results:

• Most OFES cases involved female dairy cattle (94%, 79%) due to locomotor disorders (70%), recumbency (13%), and calving issues (10%).
• Limbs and joints were the most frequent post-mortem condemnation sites (36%), often related to trauma.
• A significant decrease in OFES cases was observed after 2022, linked to stricter eligibility criteria, with weekly patterns suggesting logistical influences.

Conclusions:

• Improved on-farm management and animal handling are recommended to minimize welfare risks and carcass waste.
• Stricter eligibility criteria for OFES appear effective in reducing incidence.
• Standardized data collection and regulatory harmonization are needed for a comprehensive understanding and improved best practices across regions.