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Script: Humane Handling Series – Exotic Species |
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Intro:
Welcome to USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service podcast. Each episode
will bring you cutting edge news and information about how FSIS is working to ensure public
health protection through food safety. While we’re on the job, you can rest assured that
your meat, poultry, and processed egg products are safe, wholesome, properly labeled,
and packaged correctly. So turn up your volume and listen in.
Host:
Hello and welcome. I’m Paul Koscak with FSIS and with me again is Joan Collins, a
program manager from the Office of Field Operations. Today we’ll continue our
seven-part series on humane handling with a discussion on the humane handling of
exotic species. Thank you for joining us.
First, Joan, what animals are considered exotic species when it comes to food for
humans?
Guest:
Paul, this category includes antelope, bison, buffalo, deer, and catalo – that’s a
cross-breed of American bison and cattle.
Reindeer, elk, and water buffalo are also designated as exotic animals under the Code
of Federal Regulations (or CFR) 9, 352.1.
Types of inspection services available for exotic species are discussed in CFR 9,
352.2(b) under Voluntary Inspection Service.
Only exotic animals which have had ante-mortem inspection in accordance with this part
may be marked inspected and passed. Additionally, they must be processed in an
official exotic animal establishment.
Host:
Describe for us how ante-mortem treatment of these species is handled.
Guest:
During ante-mortem inspection, exotic animals must be handled in accordance with the
provisions contained in 9 CFR 313.2, the same regulation that covers other livestock.
Host:
I know that we discussed these regulations in the second podcast of this series about
humane handling, but would you remind us what they cover?
Guest:
Certainly. First, the regulation states that driving livestock from the unloading
ramps to the holding pens and from the holding pens to the stunning area shall be done
with a minimum of excitement and discomfort to the animals.
In addition, electric prods and other implements employed to drive animals should be
used as little as possible.
Disabled animals must be separated and placed in covered pens. These animals may not
be dragged, if conscious, but must be moved on equipment such as stone boats.
Host:
What else is discussed in the regulation?
Guest:
It also covers methods of moving animals through the holding facility, access to water
and feed if animals are held for more than 24 hours, and the effective application of
stunning methods.
Host:
So, if a plant chooses to slaughter these exotic animals, what do establishment
employees need to know about stunning them?
Guest:
To meet the requirements, the stunning must be done in accordance with 9 CFR 313.15 or
313.16. As we mentioned in the third podcast, these regulations discuss, first,
chemical stunning and, secondly, mechanical methods of stunning.
Carbon dioxide must be administered in such a way that the animal is surgically
anesthetized before they are shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast or cut.
Mechanical stunning must produce immediate unconsciousness in the animal and the
animal must be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort.
Stunning with firearms is also permissible as discussed in 9 CFR 313.16. The caliber
of firearms shall be such that when properly aimed and discharged, the projectile
produces immediate unconsciousness.
Host:
Joan, thank you for providing our listeners with this information on humane handling
of exotic species as well as the helpful insights you shared in the other podcasts.
Guest:
You’re quite welcome.
Host:
Join us next time as we focus on inhumane treatment of animals and how you will want
to avoid going down that path.
Outro:
Well, that’s all for this episode. We’d like your feedback on our podcast. Or if you
have ideas for future podcasts, send us an e-mail at
podcast@fsis.usda.gov. To learn more about food safety, try our web site at
www.fsis.usda.gov. Thanks for tuning
in.
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Last Modified: April 29, 2009 |
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