Animal Welfare during Transport and Slaughter of Cattle: A Systematic Review of Studies in the European Legal Framework

Simple Summary This systematic review addresses animal welfare-related aspects associated with the transport and slaughter of cattle. Before transport, the husbandry system and health status of cattle can have a major impact on animal welfare. At the abattoir, personnel may inflict stress on the animals when moving them to the lairage pens and to the stunning box. Constructional conditions and the resulting environmental effects have a major influence on stress induction as well. Stress can be assessed by both behavioural observations and measurement of physiological parameters. Rapid and effective stunning is an important welfare-related criterion. Some easily verifiable and detectable indicators of unconsciousness, such as immediate collapse after stunning, loss of rhythmic breathing, and loss of the corneal reflex are routinely monitored at the abattoir. Other aspects, such as measuring stress hormones in the blood or using an electrocardiogram during stunning, provide scientific information but are neither practically nor financially achievable in routine procedures. Expertise and training of drivers and abattoir personnel are an important contribution to stress reduction during handling of cattle and, therefore, to animal welfare during transport and slaughter and, finally, to meat quality. Literature related to European transport and slaughter processes were included in this systematic review. The publication period is limited to the past twelve years since the European Animal Welfare Transport Regulation was enacted in 2009. Three different databases were used. The final screening resulted in the inclusion of 19 articles in this review. When handling cattle during transport and slaughter, personnel have an important impact and may inflict stress on the animals. Other factors, such as the group composition and health status prior to transport, can have a strong negative effect on animal welfare. At the abattoir, constructional conditions and the resulting environmental influences can have a negative impact on welfare as well. These include increased noise levels due to the lack of noise dampening and changing light conditions. Stress in cattle can be assessed, e.g., by measuring stress hormones or heart rate. Effective stunning is an important welfare-relevant step in the slaughtering process. Some signs of unconsciousness, such as immediate body collapse or absence of the corneal reflex, can be easily assessed. Expertise and continuous training of all personnel involved are important measures in stress reduction.