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Abstract

The concerns about the welfare of livestock during transport is increasing as animal production and transport for slaughter and breeding is increasing. The main objective of this study was to investigate the characteristics of animal supply and activities in slaughter chain in the Kumasi abattoir, Ghana. The main stakeholders were indentified and interviewed. Based on the data and information gathered (through interview, field measurements, observation and activity registration), the main characteristics of the animal supply and activities in the abattoir chain were mapped out. The study indicated that the animals were sourced from inside and outside Ghana. The purchased animals were first sent to a local collection centre before onward transportation to the Cattle Market in the Kumasi city, where the animals should stay until sold and taken to abattoir to be slaughtered. The study indicated that inhuman way of animal handling, incidence of non-ambulation, sickness and death of animals were common during transport as well as inside Kumasi cattle market. The slaughtering procedures and meat distribution to the butcheries lacked good hygienic conditions compromising meat safety and quality. These issues of animal welfare and meat safety and quality should get attention and improvements must be planned

Keywords

Ghana; Kumasi abattoir; animal supply chain; animal handling; animal welfare; meat distribution

Published in

Journal of Service Science and Management
2012, volume: 5, number: 1, pages: 20-27
Publisher: Scientific Research

SLU Authors

UKÄ Subject classification

Agricultural Science

Publication identifier

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/jssm.2012.51003

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/38203