NR ASMB
AU Ramantanis,S.B.
TI Cattle slaughtering and BSE risks. Part II: Alternative and/or additional means of preventing and/or minimizing the dispersal of CNS material during slaughter
QU The Veterinary Bulletin 2004; 74(6): 15N-26N
PT Review
AB It is necessary to derive alternative and/or additional means of preventing and/or minimizing such frequent and widespread release of central nervous system (CNS) material during slaughter. Two methods suitable for bringing about irreversible electrical stunning in cattle are presented. The replacement of the penetrative stunning method with cardiac arrest stunning, in regions where bovine spongiform encephalopathy is present, will prevent the risk of dissemination of brain particles into the blood and carcass and reduce the release of CNS material from the foramen magnum. Protocols ensuring both the safe handling of head and harvesting of head tissues and alternative methods of vertebral column or spinal cord removal for reducing the contamination of carcass and/or environment, are discussed.
AD Department of Food Technology, Technological Educational Institution (T.E.I.) of Athens, Agiou Spyridonos Str., 122 10 Egaleo, Athens, Greece