Disease surveillance, economic losses and trace back of pigs in the abattoir

Abstract

The losses resulting from condemnation of pig carcases and offal were investigated in a large abattoir. Meat inspection records were used to calculate the prevalence of diseases during 1980 and to make an assessment of economic losses. Approximately 6.5% of all animals slaughtered were wholly or partially condemned for one or more of 29 diseases. Abscesses accounted for about half of the condemnations. Economic losses amounted to £54j869 representing 2.7% of the value of the pigs slaughtered.

An attempt was made to trace the origin of the pigs in the abattoir. Most of them had no identification marks and they were not easily traceable because they passed through a complex of auctioneers, wholesalers and other middlemen.

Condemnations (in particular abscesses and arthritis) of pigs from a large commercial unit were investigated in detail, but only 7.5% of the pigs marketed were traced. The economic losses for the farmer were approximately £873 which was 2.5% of the value of the pigs slaughtered. Management practices in the unit were studied but the lack of identification marks made it impossible to relate disease prevalence to the faulty husbandry. Problems of using slaughterhouse data and the feedback of information to the producers are discussed.