Module 16
模組16
Livestock: Slaughter
家畜:屠宰
This module will enable you to
完成這模組後，你應該能夠：
• Identify issues surrounding the slaughter of farm
animals 辨識屠宰農場動物的相關議題
• Identify humane methods of slaughter, which
promote best practice and protect the welfare of
animals 認識人道屠宰法，並以此弘揚「最佳實踐方式」
和保障動物福利
• Identify legislative protection for animals at the
time of slaughter 認識動物於屠宰時所受到的立法保障
Reason for slaughter 屠宰動物之原因
• Meat consumption is a widespread dietary
culture 吃肉在飲食文化裡十分普遍
• Slaughter: killing animals for food or to
control animal disease 人們屠宰動物或供食用，
或控制動物傳染病
– Centralised commercial slaughter—to supply
urban populations 中央商用屠宰：供城市居民食用
– Subsistence slaughter (‘home killing’)—
animals killed locally by farmers, for the local
community 溫飽型屠宰(自家屠宰)：由當地農民親自
屠宰動物，以供當地社區居民食用
Background 屠宰的社會背景
• Humans 人類
– May wish to eat meat 或許想要吃肉
– Do not need to eat meat 不需要吃肉
• Animals have some basic needs
動物有某些基本需要
– Not to suffer during their lives and at the
time of their death
無論動物生存還是面臨死亡，都不會受苦
The ‘cost’ of slaughter
to the animal 屠宰動物的「代價」
• The animal’s life is ended 終止動物生命
– Some philosophers raise the issue of
‘quantity of life’ 某些哲學家提出「生活的量」這議
題
• Fear, distress and pain 令動物恐懼、悲傷和痛苦
– During the slaughter process 在屠宰過程中
– During transport and at markets, because of
disruption of animal’s established social
groupings 在運輸和銷售過程中(因動物的既定社會
聯繫瓦解之故)
‘Home-killed’ animals 自家屠宰的動物
• Hundreds of millions of
chickens, ducks,
turkeys, lambs, goats,
cattle and pigs are killed
each year on family and
subsistence farms
每年都有數以百萬計的雞、鴨、
火雞、小羊、山羊、牛和豬
在家中和獨立的農場裡被宰
殺
‘Home-killed’ animals 自家屠宰的動物
• Slaughter methods have not changed for
thousands of years 屠宰方式數千年不變
• Smaller animals (lambs, birds) 小型動物(小羊、飛禽)
– Exsanguination (neck cutting), or 割頸放血，
或
– Decapitation 去頭宰殺
• Larger species (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs) 大型動物
(牛、綿羊、山羊、豬)
– May be hobbled with ropes to allow neck
cutting 或會以繩索捆綁雙足，以便割頸放血
– Sometimes shot in the head and then bled
out 間或射向頭部，讓其流血
Commercial slaughter plants 商用屠宰廠
• Centralised 中央管
理
• Involves transport
of animals 涉及運
載動物
Transport as a cause of distress: loading
運輸作為動物痛苦根源之一：裝載
Effect of stress on meat quality
壓力對肉質的影響
Dark Firm Dry (DFD) beef
暗色堅硬乾燥的牛肉
Normal pork 正
常豬肉
Pale Soft Exudative
(PSE) pork
灰白柔軟滲出的豬肉
Lairage 牲口欄
Exposure of live animals to dead
animals 活動物與死動物的曝露情況
Dead animal
死動物
Live animal
活動物
Restraint: shackling 腳鐐的枷鎖
Mechanised electrical stunning and bleeding
以機械電暈動物和割頸放血
Slaughter 屠宰過程
•
Two stages: 可分為兩個階段：
– Stunning – induction of
unconsciousness in a ‘very short’
time 致昏：在「很短」的時間內令動物失
去意識
– Killing - after stunning. Makes
physiological recovery impossible 宰
殺：在致昏後進行，讓動物在生理上無法
復原
Stunning and killing are not the
same 致昏和宰殺是不同的
• A stunned animal is in a temporary
state of unconsciousness and can
potentially recover consciousness 致昏
的動物是處於暫時失去知覺的狀態，且可以從這
種狀態中恢復知覺
• The stunned animal must therefore be
killed before there is any chance of
recovering consciousness 因此已昏迷的動
物必須趁尚未恢復知覺之時即予宰殺
Stunning: is ‘instant’ insensibility
possible? 致昏能否「快速」失去知覺？
• No 不能
• However 但是
– Can induce unconsciousness in such a
short time that the animal may be unaware
of the process 可以在一段極短時間內令動物於尚
未察覺致昏過程之際就失去知覺
– If less than 300 ms this is considered to be
immediate insensibility 倘若致昏過程在少於300
毫秒的時間內完成，可視作即時令動物失去知覺
Best practice 最佳做法
• Immediate unconsciousness followed by rapid
progression to death 即時失去知覺，加快動物死亡
– Captive bolt stunning 彈擊式致昏
– Percussive stunning 衝擊式致昏
– Electrical stunning 電擊致昏
– Gas stunning 氣體致昏
• These principles are considered best practice,
and are enforced by legislation in many societies
上述原則被視為最佳實施方式，並在許多社會中獲納入立
法來強制執行
Immediate stun: Captive bolt
即時致昏方式：彈擊式致昏
• If applied correctly, can induce insensibility
within 1.5 to 2 milliseconds 倘若用法得宜，可令
動物在1.5~2毫秒內失去知覺
• Pistol must be clean, oiled, and working well
手槍必須保持清潔、定期上潤滑油，並確保運作良好
Signs of effective stunning
有效致昏的徵兆
• Focus on the head 頭部重點
– Eye reflexes and blinking are absent 眼睛一
定不會有反應能力及眨眼動作
– Head hangs straight down 頭部向下垂直
– Tongue hangs out 舌頭伸出
– Ears droop down 耳朵下垂
• Body hangs straight down—no arching of the
back or struggling; the legs may move身體向下
垂直：動物不會拱起背部或掙扎，但還可以移動足部
• Gasping and gagging reflexes, but no
rhythmic breathing or vocalizations.會出現喘氣
和作嘔反應，但不會有節奏地呼吸或發聲
Positioning of the captive bolt
is very important
彈擊槍的瞄準位置是十分重要的
Captive bolt: position for cattle
牛的彈擊致昏位置
The intersection of two imaginary lines drawn
from the lateral canthus of each eye to the base
of the opposite horn 從眼角側到斜對面角芽部所形成
的想像連接線之交叉點
Captive bolt: position for pigs
豬的彈擊致昏位置
2.5cm above the
eyes, slightly to one
side of the mid line of
the head (to avoid a
thick ridge of bone),
and at right angles to
the forehead 在雙眼上
方2.5厘米，該位置稍微
偏離頭部中線(以避開較
厚的脊梁骨)，並與前額
形成直角
Captive bolt stunning position for sheep
and goats without horns
沒有角的綿羊和山羊之彈擊致昏位置
Place the captive
bolt weapon at the
highest point on the
top of the head and
aim toward the
angle of the jaw
將彈擊式致昏武器放在
頭頂的最頂端，並向下
顎角度方向瞄準
Captive bolt: position for horned
sheep or goats
有角綿羊和山羊的彈擊致昏位置
Place the captive bolt
just behind the ridge
that joins the base of
the horns and aim
toward the base of
the tongue 將彈擊式致
昏器放在連接兩隻角基部
的脊梁骨正後方，並朝舌
根方向瞄準
Captive bolt: position for
farmed deer 養殖鹿的彈擊致昏位置
The muzzle of the
captive bolt weapon
should be placed at
the intersection of an
imaginary line
between the eyes
and the upper part of
the base of the ears
彈擊式致昏武器的槍口應
該放在雙眼與雙耳基部上
緣所形成之想像線的交叉
處
Immediate stun: Percussive
stunning 即時致昏法：衝擊式致昏
• If applied correctly, this method induces
insensibility within 1.5 to 2 ms 此法如運用得宜，
可令動物在1.5~2毫秒內失去知覺
Percussion and concussion
衝擊與腦震盪
• Percussion 衝擊
– ‘the forcible striking of one solid body against
another’ 「將一個固體的東西用力敲擊到另一個固體
上」
– this force results in concussion 這力度導致腦震盪
• Concussion 腦震盪
– ‘temporary unconsciousness or incapacity due to a
blow to the head’ 「頭部受擊，導致暫時失去意識或
行為能力」
Percussive stun/kill:
small farmed animals
小型動物的衝擊式致昏/宰殺
• In small animals, a
suitable percussive
stunner can induce
immediate insensibility
and death – this is
known as stun/kill
對小動物而言，一個合適的衝
擊式致昏器能讓牠們立即失去
知覺，並導致死亡—這就叫做
致昏/宰殺
Immediate stun: Electrical
stunning 即時致昏法：電擊致昏
• Electricity induces uncoordinated electrical
activity (epileptiform activity) in the brain which
renders the animal unconscious 電流能引致腦電波
活動失調(癲癇狀的活動)，使動物失去知覺
Electrical stunning: position for sheep and
goats 綿羊與山羊的電擊致昏位置
• Electrodes must span the brain 電極須橫跨腦部
• Only correct position: electrodes placed
between eye and ear of each side of head.
唯一正確位置：置電極於頭部每側的眼睛和耳朵之間
Electrical stunning:
position for pigs (1) 豬的電擊致昏位置(1)
• Spanning the brain 電極須橫跨腦部
– Between eye and ear of each side of
head 置於頭部每側的眼睛和耳朵之間
Electrical stunning:
position for pigs (2) 豬的電擊致昏位置(2)
• Spanning the brain 電極須橫跨腦部
– On a diagonal: behind one ear on one side,
and between the eye and ear on the other
side 把電鉗斜著夾緊頭部兩側，一極置於耳朵後面，
另一極置於眼睛與耳朵之間
The reality - goads essential to
load stun chambers 在現實社會，
為毒氣致昏室配置電擊棒是很重要的
Electrical stunning: water bath
for birds 電擊致昏法：為禽鳥做水浴
• The head of each bird passes through a
‘water bath’ 每隻禽鳥的頭部都會經過「水浴槽」
Automated electrical stunning has the
potential for poor control
自動電昏法可能會監管不善
Duck lifting head above water level – will
not be stunned 頭部升上水面的鴨不會致昏
Electrical stunning versus electrical
killing 電擊致昏法與電殛法的差別
• Electrical stunning 電擊致昏法
– Immediate insensibility 令動物即時失去知覺
– Best practice 是最佳屠宰方法
• Electrical killing 電殛法
– E.g. destruction of dogs in some countries 例：某些
國家的滅犬政策
– Does NOT ensure insensibility 不保證令動物失去知覺
– Inhumane: can cause agonising death by cardiac
arrest while dogs are fully conscious 此法極不人道，
若在狗隻完全清醒時施行，會讓牠們因心跳停止而死得痛苦
Killing methods:
Exsanguination 宰殺方法：割頸放血
Gas stunning/killing 氣體致昏/宰殺法
• Also known as controlled atmosphere
killing 又稱為「控制氣氛屠宰法」
• Poultry and pigs 用於家禽和豬隻
• High concentrations of inert gases
(argon, nitrogen), or carbon dioxide 使用
高濃度惰性氣體 (氬、氮) 或二氧化碳
• Ethical or economic questions about
these methods 這些方法帶來道德上或經濟
上的問題
Gas stunning/killing: Inert gases
氣體致昏/宰殺法：惰性氣體
• Argon or nitrogen (80%) + CO2 (18%) +
O2 (2%) 氬或氮 (80%) + 二氧化碳 (18%) + 氧
(2%)
•
•
•
•
•
Gases not detectable 氣體無法偵測得到
Induces death by anoxia 會令動物缺氧而死
Minimal respiratory stress 低氧呼吸壓力最低
Relatively expensive 成本相當昂貴
Not suitable for large animals or fleeced
animals 不宜用於大型動物或多毛動物身上
Gas stunning/killing: Carbon
dioxide 氣體致昏/宰殺法：二氧化碳
• At high concentrations, acts as
anaesthetic BUT 二氧化碳在濃度高的時候可當
作麻醉氣體，但是：
– Pungent 氣味刺鼻
– Does not cause immediate loss of
consciousness (it takes 15 – 20 s) 不會即時
令動物失去知覺 (需時15 – 20秒)
– Respiratory distress, severe
breathlessness and convulsions of fully
conscious animal 會令完全清醒的動物呼吸困難、
嚴重氣喘與抽搐
Religious slaughter: Muslim
宗教屠宰儀式：回教
• Dhabh or Zabiha 回教屠宰儀式
• Can be carried out by any ‘sane’ Muslim
(male or female) 凡是「神志正常的」回教徒皆可執
行，男女均可
• Produces Halal meat 牲畜按回教教規屠宰後便成
為合法肉品
• Requirements 屠宰要求
– Use of a sharp knife 使用尖刀
– Utterance of Allah’s name at the moment the neck
is cut 在割動物脖子的時候呼喊真主阿拉的名號
Religious slaughter: Jewish
宗教屠宰儀式：猶太教
• Shechita 「司赫特」(猶太屠宰儀式)
• Carried out by a trained slaughterman (Shochet),
licensed by the Rabbinic Commission 由受過嚴格訓練
兼獲拉比(猶太律法)委員會授權的「索海特」(合格屠夫)
執行
• Produces Kosher meat 牲畜按猶太教教規屠宰後便成為
合法肉品
• The animals must be healthy and without any prior
injury 動物必須是健康的，而且在宰殺前沒有遭受到任何
傷害
• The knife is regularly sharpened, and severs the
arteries and veins in the neck to cause death by
exsanguination 屠宰用的刀子須定期磨利，並以之割斷
脖子上的動脈和靜脈放血，讓動物死亡
Welfare issues of religious
slaughter 宗教屠宰的福利議題
• Kosher and Halal slaughter were ‘best practice’ at the
time of their introduction 猶太教和回教屠宰儀式在當
初引進時是「最佳的實施方法」
• Exsanguination is likely to cause distress for a much
longer time than any distress caused by stunning 動
物因放血屠宰而受苦的時間要比因昏迷而受苦的時間
長很多
• Birds an exception? 禽鳥能否例外？
– Not shackled in religious slaughter 宗教屠宰用禽
鳥是不會被加上腳鐐的
– Dead within ~30 seconds of removal from crate in
kosher slaughter (Barnett et al 2007) 已按猶太教
教規屠宰的動物在被移離條板箱後約30秒內死亡
Effectiveness of welfare legislation
動物福利的立法效力
• May be ineffective because of poor
enforcement 可能會因執法不力而導致成效不彰
– Limited resources 資源有限
– Limited training of slaughterhouse
personnel 屠宰場員工訓練不足
– Difficulties in assessing activities carried
out on farm 難以評估農場裡的一切行動
– Competent authorities not willing to
consider slaughter as an area of welfare
concern 地方當局縱使具執法能力，也缺乏意
願把屠宰視為動物福利關注議題的一大範疇
Public pressure to improve slaughter
conditions
公眾對改善屠宰情況的訴求
• What can the public and non-governmental
organisations do to improve slaughter
conditions? 公眾和非政府組織能做些什麼來改善屠宰的
情況？
– Lobby for change in procedures 進行游說，促請有關
當局改變某些傳統做法
– Boycott products from countries where animals are
not protected by law 抵制由沒有立法保護動物的國家
生產的畜產品
– Raise public and political awareness of issues 喚起公
眾和政界人士對動物福利議題的關注
Conclusions 總結
• Slaughter procedures can affect the welfare of
huge numbers of farmed animals 屠宰方式對很
多農場動物之福利都有很大的影響
• Newer methods are based on good animal
welfare science 新的實施方式是以精密的動物福利
科學為基礎的
• Best practice can 最佳實施方式能夠
– Improve animal welfare 改善動物福利
– Make the work of slaughter personnel safer
and more ‘professional’ 使屠宰場職員的工作更
加安全、水準更加「專業」
– Improve the quality of meat 改善肉質
Further Reading進階閱讀
• BARNETT JL, CRONIN GM, SCOTT PC. 2007. Behavioural responses of
poultry during kosher slaughter and their implications for the birds’ welfare.
Veterinary Record 160: 45-49
• COUNCIL REGULATION EC 1/2005 on the protection of animals during
transport and related operations. Available from: http://europa.eu.int/eurlex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_003/l_00320050105en00010044.pdf
• FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation). Guidelines for humane handling,
transport and slaughter of livestock, FAO 2001
• GRANDIN, T. Dr Temple Grandin’s Web page. Livestock Behaviour, Design of
Facilities and Humane Slaughter. http://www.grandin.com/
• GRANDIN, T., 2002: Return-to-sensibility problems after penetrating captive
bolt stunning of cattle in commercial beef slaughter plants. Journal American
Veterinary Medical Assoc.Vol. 221:1258-1261
• GRANDIN, T., 2000: Livestock Handling and Transport. CABI Publishing
• GREGORY NG. Animal Welfare and Meat Science, CABI Publishing 1998
Further Reading進階閱讀
• GREGORY NG, WILKINS LJ. 1989: Broken bones in domestic fowl: handling
and processing damage in end-of-lay battery hens. British Poultry Science 30:
555-562.
• GREGORY, N., SHAW, F., 2000:Penetrating Captive Bolt Stunning and
Exsanguination of Cattle in Abattoirs, Journal of Applied Animal Welfare
Science. 3: 215-230.
• Humane Slaughter – Taking responsibility. Humane Slaughter Association.
Available from: www.hsa.org.uk
• OIE (Office Internationale des Epizooties). Terrestrial Animal Health Code
2006: Appendix 3.7.5, Guidelines for the Slaughter of Animals. Available from:
www.oie.int/eng/normes/mcode/en_chapitre_3.7.5.htm
• The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995, UK
• WSPA Reports: The Facts About our Food – Animal Transport/Pigs/Chicken
• University of Bristol Animal Welfare Training. Website for training in welfare
aspects of slaughter. Available from: www.awtraining.com