Management of acute injury of Cattle in Ireland by On Farm Emergency Slaughter: An Evidence-based Approach

The beef and dairy industry form an important part of the Irish agricultural economy. In 2021, Irish dairy exports reached €5.1 billion, making it the largest food and drink export category, and was followed by beef with export values of €2.4 billion (Anonymous, 2022). In 2021 1,792,847 bovines were slaughtered in Ireland (AIM, 2021). In most cases, animals going to slaughter are healthy and fit for transport. Fitness to transport is a key provision in animal welfare European regulations, and for the management of acutely injured cattle (CEC, 2005). Whilst treatment may be appropriate for some acute injuries of cattle, three common production outcomes are: on farm emergency slaughter (OFES), casualty slaughter (CS) or euthanasia. The purpose of this study was initially to evaluate the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council (FAWAC) guidelines using thematic analysis, to determine if they remain fit for purpose by comparing them with five purposively selected guidelines (FAWAC, 2009), on the management of acutely injured cattle from four jurisdictions. Further aims were to evaluate the perceptions of veterinarians (Official Veterinarians, OVs and Private Veterinary Practitioners, PVPs) and farmers, working in Ireland, on the management of acutely injured cattle and to evaluate the influence of capacity, willingness and opportunity on their attitudes towards OFES and other production outcomes for these animals. Three online surveys were designed for the three study cohorts; farmers, OVs and PVPs. Results indicate that the FAWAC guidelines remain substantially relevant today and consistent with other welfare guidelines published in the jurisdictions studied. However, guidelines need to be reviewed to align with current regulations. Forty three OVs, 85 PVPs and 107 farmers responded to the survey. Survey results suggest that veterinarians and farmers are positive towards the use of OFES, for welfare reasons, are aware of the regulations and guidelines in relation to animal welfare, but a lack of requirement and availability, and a perception that it has little economic benefit, has limited the use of OFES as a method for managing acutely injured cattle. OVs and PVPs had similar views on issues concerning the management of acutely injured cattle. Euthanasia is the most common method of managing acutely injured cattle by PVPs which demonstrates compliance with regulations on fitness to transport, in the absence of OFES. Results also indicate that there is a very low incidence, reported by farmers, of cattle getting acutely injured in Ireland but that improving the availability of OFES and cost effectiveness would help to reduce the number of acutely injured cattle that undergo euthanasia, CS or possibly treatment. Whilst the total number of acutely injured cattle in Ireland is unknown, the number of acutely injured cattle that undergo OFES is low compared to other Member States of the EU and the European Economic Area, which may be due to under-reporting, or continued use of CS.