Animal welfare knowledge, attitudes and practice of meat inspectors in abattoirs in Laikipia County, Kenya  

Year: 2023

Victor Kimutai Toroitich 
County Government of Laikipia, Kenya 

Supervisors: Dr Fritha Langford, Newcastle University, UK & Dr Harriet Obela Atyang, University of Nairobi, Kenya 

HSA Student/Trainee Scholarship 2023

Animal welfare is a wide but growing field, especially in low- and middle-income countries where governments, farmers, animal welfare organisations, and learning institutions are gradually integrating animal welfare into their programs. The global influence of technology and communication is increasing animal welfare awareness especially among consumers who are increasingly becoming aware of the impact of welfare on animal-based products. More information is being sought on how livestock are raised and in the entire value chain. 

Abattoirs are a critical sector in the food value chain and a key determinant of welfare as billions of animals are slaughtered each year for meat. The handling and treatment of animals before and during slaughter affect the meat quality and consumer confidence on the products as a result. Animals are sentient beings that feel negative and positive experiences, and ensuring animal welfare during slaughter is therefore essential. The staff working at the abattoirs oversee all the operations including animal handling, movement, stunning, and killing. Therefore, their knowledge, attitudes and good-welfare-practice behaviours contribute significantly to the welfare of the slaughtered animals. Studies have documented that animals develop fear towards certain behavioural attitudes and practices of the stockpersons. 

This study was carried among abattoir staff in Laikipia County, one of the arid and semi-arid counties in Kenya where a lot of livestock are reared. Since the inception of the Kenya’s new constitution in 2010 and establishment of the devolved system of governments, counties have been increasingly encouraged to come up with programmes and projects that tap and maximize their potential. One of such projects in Laikipia County is development of both public and private abattoirs which are increasing annually as per demand. The study targeted all staff working at the 42 abattoirs in the county; including 30 meat inspectors and about 30 other support staff who works as slaughter persons, flairs, and revenue collectors among others. These abattoirs slaughter an average of 20,000 animals every month, primarily sheep, goats, cattle, poultry and a few camels and pigs. Despite meat inspectors being the facility technical managers, other staff working as lairage attendance, stunners among other also critically influence the welfare of the animals, and were therefore included in this study. 

The preliminary results of the data collected among six meat inspectors and five support staff show that all the 5 (100%) meat inspectors and 4 (80%) other staff agree that animal welfare gaps exist among abattoir personnel. All the 5 (100%) meat inspectors and 3 (60%) other staff strongly agreed that animal welfare is an essential part of their work while 2 (40%) other staff agreed. All the 5 (100%) meat inspectors agreed to have heard of animal welfare and the Five Freedoms but only 1 (17%) could mention all the freedoms. Three (60%) of other staff agreed to have heard of animal welfare and the Five Freedoms but none could mention any of them. More data analysis is underway.