Temple Grandin on Ethical Pork Practices

Sep 18, 2024

Lecture Notes: Temple Grandin on the Pork Industry

Introduction

  • Speaker: Temple Grandin, Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University.
  • Topic: Overview of procedures in the pork industry, from farm to slaughter.
  • Aim: Highlight proper practices in a typical large pork plant.

Importance of Biosecurity on Pig Farms

  • Truckers wear coveralls to prevent disease transmission.
  • Truck drivers do not enter barns to maintain biosecurity.
  • Importance of visiting farms before plants to avoid contamination between pigs from different locations.

Loading Pigs onto Trucks

  • Pigs are handled gently using a sort board and rattle.
  • Small groups are moved at a time to prevent piling up.
  • Trucks have adjustable plastic panels for ventilation based on weather conditions.

Unloading at the Plant

  • Proper alignment of trucks with unloading docks to prevent injury.
  • Calm and small group unloading of pigs.
  • Use of non-slip flooring to ensure animal safety.

Handling and Resting Pigs

  • Solid barriers are used to keep pigs calm by blocking their view of people.
  • Pigs are tattooed for traceability back to the farm.
  • Water access is mandatory in holding pens and alleyways.
  • Pigs should rest 1-4 hours before stunning to improve meat quality and reduce stress.

Stunning Process

  • Use of CO2 stunners and electrical stunning.
    • CO2 stunning involves pigs entering a gondola that is lowered 30 feet into a 90% CO2 environment.
    • Electrical stunning involves passing current through the brain and heart.
  • Importance of proper stunning to ensure pigs are insensible to pain.
  • Monitoring for signs of consciousness is crucial.

Slaughter Floor Process

  • Following stunning, pigs are bled, scalded, de-haired, and singed to remove pathogens.
  • Carcasses are split and gutted efficiently to prevent contamination.
  • Refrigerated storage before cutting into pieces.

Safety and Hygiene

  • Daily cleaning of conveyors and equipment.
  • Workers wear protective gear to prevent injuries.

Auditing and Animal Welfare

  • Auditing systems evaluate animal welfare based on handling and stunning practices.
  • Monitoring of vocalizations and proper use of stunning wands.
  • Efforts to ensure animals do not regain consciousness post-stunning.

Temple Grandin's Views

  • Advocates for proper treatment of animals.
  • Personally consumes meat and emphasizes ethical practices.
  • Encourages further learning through resources provided by the American Meat Institute and her website.

Resources