Improving standing stun restraint in Indonesia

Summary

MLA has developed, designed and tested several different types of manually and later mechanically operated restraining boxes to assist the abattoir operator in humanely restraining and processing Australian cattle. This has allowed for appropriate Halal ritual slaughter, which is an essential part of the Islamic religion. 

Whilst it has been recognised that the Mark 1 restraining box did improve the handling of livestock prior to slaughter compared to the traditional methods, it still had the potential if used incorrectly, to not comply with international animal welfare guidelines. To address this issue and to provide support to the Indonesian abattoir operators, a design upgrade or retrofit of the Mark 1 restraining box was undertaken. 

Objectives

1. Design, build and test a retrofit to the existing Mark 1 cattle restraining box to allow it to be used for stunning of cattle in an upright position with the inclusion of a manually operated head restraint in Indonesia.
2. Ensure reference and compliance with OIE animal welfare guidelines as described in Chapter 7.5 of slaughter of animals and Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS).
3. Develop and document design fabrication drawings to retrofit components to existing Mark 1 restraining boxes in Indonesia with inclusion of the ability to use a full range of stunning equipment including pneumatic and handheld non penetrating devices.
4. Fabricate and test stunning box in Australia.
5. Install, retrofit and trial in an abattoir in Indonesia making modifications where necessary.
6. Update final fabrication drawings where necessary to reflect the final working version as trialed in Indonesia.
7. Submit final fabrication drawings and operations manual to MLA.

Key findings

The output from this project is the design of a robust standing stun slaughter box that complies with OIE guidance for the slaughter of animals that can be installed in abattoirs throughout Indonesia.

Benefits to industry

The application of this restraining box in Indonesia aims to encourage the use of stunning. 

Installing a robust standing stun box will reduce the risks of poor animal welfare outcomes at the point of slaughter.

The standing stun slaughter box is fully compliant with ESCAS.

MLA action

Where Mark 1 restraining boxes exist, MLA will encourage the installation of the standing stun slaughter box.