Skip to main content
SLU publication database (SLUpub)

Abstract

The time spent at the slaughterhouse represents a relatively short period in an animal’s life, yet it holds substantial relevance for animal welfare. Thereto, slaughterhouse businesses are profit-driven and must maintain an efficient process flow whilst producing high-quality products that meet societal expectations. The overall aim of this thesis was to map animal welfare-related aspects during the slaughter of pigs and cattle and assess the economic relevance of animal welfare improvements for slaughterhouse businesses. This research is primarily conducted from a Swedish perspective, but it also holds international relevance. Using an interdisciplinary approach that combines animal science and production economics, the work develops a theoretical economic model for animal welfare at slaughter, includes on-site slaughterhouse observations, analyses post-mortem meat inspection data, and simulates the economic effects of improved animal welfare at slaughter. The results show that process flow and personnel-related aspects are key factors for slaughterhouses in the decision-making process of investing in animal welfare improvements. Stunning efficiency in both pigs and cattle varied widely between slaughterhouses, and longer stun-to-stick intervals were associated with inadequate stun quality and the likelihood of re-stunning. The occurrence of traumatic injuries was linked to higher condemnation rates, resulting in both direct and indirect economic effects on slaughterhouse operations. Economic simulations revealed that the prevalence of stun failures had implications for both animal welfare and economic outcomes. These simulations demonstrated that the primary drivers of net benefit change for improving stunning efficiency were costs related to labour and investments in new stunning equipment in both pig and cattle slaughterhouses. This thesis concludes that animal welfare and economic outcomes at slaughter are interconnected, often favourable, indicating that animal welfare should not be solely treated as a cost. The results provide an empirical basis for understanding the complex connections between animal welfare and economic outcomes, offering insights for decisions on slaughterhouse, authority and policy level.

Keywords

abattoir; animal protection; animal welfare; commercial slaughter; condemnation; economic modelling; humane slaughter; profitability; stun quality; traumatic injuries

Published in

Acta Universitatis Agriculturae Sueciae
2025, number: 2025:59
Publisher: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

SLU Authors

UKÄ Subject classification

Agricultural Economics and Management and Rural development
Other Agricultural Sciences not elsewhere specified
Other Veterinary Science

Publication identifier

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.54612/a.6qqgc98uur
  • ISBN: 978-91-8124-043-6
  • eISBN: 978-91-8124-089-4

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/142460