Operational guideline: Humane care and handling of food animals

On this page

• 1.0 Purpose
• 2.0 Authorities
• 3.0 Reference documents
• 4.0 Definitions
• 5.0 Acronyms
• 6.0 Operational guideline
  • 6.1 Prepare for inspection
  • 6.2 Conduct the inspection
    • 6.2.1 Overlap with Part XII of the Health of Animals Regulations
      • 6.2.1.1 Specific information for food animals waiting to be unloaded from a conveyance if the driver/transporter is at the establishment
      • 6.2.1.2 Specific information for food animals confined in crates waiting to be unloaded from a conveyance if the driver/transporter has left the establishment (birds/rabbits)
      • 6.2.1.3 Specific information concerning Dead on arrival (DOA) and found dead animals at the establishment
    • 6.2.2 Determine compliance
      • 6.2.2.1 Unavoidable and avoidable suffering, injury or death
      • 6.2.2.2 Non-compliance to the SFCR
      • 6.2.2.3 Zero-tolerance deviations
      • 6.2.2.4 Deliberate acts of cruelty
      • 6.2.2.5 Potential non-compliance to the SFCR
  • 6.3 Other specific information for the inspectors
    • 6.3.1 Use of digital recording to support animal welfare inspection observations at federal slaughter establishments
    • 6.3.2 Handling of non-ambulatory animals in red meat slaughter establishments
    • 6.3.3 Livestock in the last 10% of their gestation period and which give birth before slaughter or have given birth within the last 48 hours, and their newborn
    • 6.3.4 Animals that need to be removed from an establishment or kept in the establishment for more than 7 days
• 7.0 Annexes
  • Annex 1: signs of suffering and injury related to the species slaughtered at the establishment
  • Annex 2: decision tree - systematic approach to animal welfare at slaughter – PCI-IV tasks
  • Annex 3: decision tree - unavoidable and avoidable suffering, injury or death
  • Annex 4: decision tree - systematic approach to non-compliances related to animal welfare when the SFCR and HAR apply simultaneously

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to Canadian Food Inspection Agency
(CFIA) inspection staff on verifying compliance with regulatory requirements related to humane care and handling of food animals in slaughter establishments.

This document is intended to be used in conjunction with other guidance documents as referenced in section 3.0 of this document.

2.0 Authorities

• Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA)
• Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR)

The inspection powers, control actions and enforcement actions authorized by the above legislation are identified and explained in the Operational guideline: Food regulatory response guidelines.

3.0 Reference documents

• Operational guidance - Standard Inspection Process
• Standard regulatory response process
• Operational guideline: Food regulatory response guidelines
• Operational procedure: Food preventive control and traceability inspection – System Verification
• Operational procedure: Food preventive control inspection – Implementation verification
• Food program work planning documents (accessible only on the Government of Canada network)
• Operational guideline - Food animal slaughter PCI operational guidance
  • Appendix 3 – Animal Welfare at Slaughter PCI Operational Guidance
• Operational Guidance: Food Animal Slaughter – Preventive Control Inspection – Implementation Verification
  • Appendix 3 – Animal Welfare at Slaughter PCI Implementation Verification Tasks
• Operational guideline: Use of digital recording (Camera, Video, Audio) devices during inspections
• Operational guideline: Red meat ante-mortem inspection
• Industry guidance – Regulatory requirements: Preventive control plan
• Industry guidance – Guidelines for Preventive Control Plan for animal welfare for the slaughter of food animals
• Industry guidance – Evidence showing an animal welfare preventive measure is effective
• Industry Guidance – Humane treatment of food animals at the slaughter establishment
• Industry Guidance – Guidelines for the humane care and handling of food animals at slaughter

4.0 Definitions

Definitions are located in the documents listed below or as a defined word where it is intended to supersede the definitions within the glossary documents:

• Safe Food for Canadians Regulations
• Safe Food for Canadians Regulations: Glossary of Key Terms
• Integrated Agency Inspection Model (iAIM) - Glossary of Terms (Annex F)

5.0 Acronyms

Acronyms are spelled out the first time they are used and are consolidated in the Food business line acronyms list.

6.0 Operational guideline

As per sections 127 to 136 of the SFCR, the licence holder is responsible for the humane care and handling of the food animals upon their arrival at the establishment. For the purpose of the application of the SFCA and the SFCR, the word "establishment" is interpreted to include the land surrounding the facility, unless otherwise specified in the licence.

This includes:

• receiving and assessing the food animals in the conveyance or in crates on the conveyance upon arrival at the establishment, and monitoring the food animals and the conditions to which they are exposed while they are waiting to be slaughtered outside the facility
• unloading of the food animals, or the crates containing the food animals, into the facility
• handling of the food animals, or the crates containing the food animals, at the establishment (handling begins outside the facility in some cases)
• moving/driving the food animals through the facility
• if applicable, removing the food animals from their crates

6.1 Prepare for the inspection

• Use the following Preventive Control Inspection – Implementation Verification (PCI-IV) tasks to verify that SFCR requirements for humane care and handling are met:
  • Animal Welfare, Handling
  • Animal Welfare, Facilities & Equipment
• Refer to Food program work planning documents (accessible only on the Government of Canada network) for the frequencies of these tasks.
• Review licence holder's written Preventive Control Plan (PCP) for animal welfare and CFIA reference material as necessary prior to conducting verification:
  • when a non-compliance to animal welfare requirements is observed, you should conduct, within 7 calendar days, the appropriate PCI sub-element task, as part of an "incident response" inspection case.
  • refer to section 6.2.1 and Appendix 1 of Operational procedure: Food preventive control and traceability inspection – System Verification and Appendix 3 – Animal Welfare at Slaughter PCI Operational Guidance for more details on PCI sub-elements tasks for animal welfare at slaughter.

  Note: licence holders may choose to use a different approach than the CFIA guidance to meet the SFCR requirements. In these cases, the effectiveness of a given measure to prevent the animal welfare risk must achieve the required outcome and must be supported by evidence which can be based on international standards, scientific literature or the results of a study, trial or experiment conducted under laboratory or slaughter establishment conditions that are scientifically valid. The licence holders should consider worst-case scenarios and use techniques representative of their activities. For more information, they can refer to the Industry guidance – Evidence showing an animal welfare preventive measure is effective. Once you have reviewed the PCP and the licence holder's evidence, you can consult CFIA specialists, through established communication channels, if you need advice on verifying its validity. You will need to identify potential problems and missing information, as well as any specific issues for which advice is needed. Although more specific to food control measures, the Operational guideline: Inspection of evidence showing that control measures are effective may also be useful.

6.2 Conduct the inspection

In addition to the operational guidelines of the Standard Inspection Process (SIP), you need to consider:

6.2.1 Overlap with Part XII of the Heath of Animals Regulations

• Part XII of the Health of Animals Regulations (HAR) outlines the requirements for humane transport of all animals. For the application of the HAR, transport begins when animals are handled, moved or caught for the purpose of confining them in a conveyance or a crate. It ends when the animals are removed from the conveyance or, where applicable, from any apparatus used for loading or unloading, such as a ramp, gangway, chute, or steps. For an animal confined in a crate, transport ends when the crate is removed from the conveyance and the animal is taken out of the crate.

  • In cases where birds are stunned in their crates (for example, in case of controlled atmosphere stunning - CAS), the transport ends when the crate enters the gas chamber for the purpose of slaughter.

  Note: "crate" is referred to as "container" in the Part XII of the HAR.

• Therefore, there is a period where the 2 regulations (SFCR and HAR) are applicable simultaneously.
• With regards to the application of the 2 regulations, the responsibilities of the regulated parties during this overlap period are:
  • driver/transporter: under subsection 138.3 (2) of the HAR, the driver/transporter is responsible for the regular monitoring of the animals and their associated general care while they are confined in the conveyance or crates and, when applicable, during unloading. This includes, among others, monitoring the condition of the animals and the foreseeable weather and environmental conditions to which animals are exposed. Therefore, under section 138.2, the transporter must have a contingency plan that sets out the actions to be taken in the event of delays or unforeseen circumstances that may result in unnecessary suffering, injury or death of the animals or in the event that animals become unfit or compromised. Also, under section 153, the driver/transporter, when animals are left at the establishment, must provide the licence holder with a transfer of care (TOC) notice and document. So, under the HAR, it is when the animals are left and the licence holder acknowledges receipt of the notice and TOC document that responsibility for the care of the animals is transferred from the carrier to them. The TOC document must contain information on the condition of the animals upon arrival, the date, time and the place where the animals were last fed, watered and rested, and the date and time of arrival of the animals at the slaughter establishment. Under the HAR, "time of arrival" is interpreted as below and is dependent on when the animals are left by the driver/carrier under the care of the licence holder at the slaughter establishment:
    • If animals are unloaded under the care of the driver/transporter, "time of arrival", under section 153 of the HAR, is interpreted as the moment the animals are unloaded from the conveyance. Refer to section 6.2.1.1 for more details on the subject.
    • If animals are left on-site by the driver/transporter without being unloaded from the conveyance or crates, "time of arrival", under section 153 of the HAR, is interpreted as when the driver/transporter leaves the animals under the care of the licence holder on site. Refer to section 6.2.1.2 for more details on the subject.
  • licence holder: once the food animals arrive at the establishment and while they are still in the conveyance (prior to their unloading), the licence holder is responsible, in whole or in part as per SFCR 128 and 130, for the conditions to which they are exposed that may cause suffering, injury or death to them (including weather and environmental conditions). Accordingly, regulations require the licence holder to assess the animals and the conditions they are subjected to upon arrival, to monitor them regularly afterwards and to take immediate corrective action if necessary. These requirements apply even if the licence holder has not yet acknowledged receipt of the TOC notice and document under the HAR.
• Regulation Precedence: in case of non-compliance, when both regulations apply simultaneously, precedence is given either to the regulation that is violated first (for example, exceeding the allowable time without feed and water) or to the regulation that most clearly establishes the non-compliance. Additionally, precedence may depend on which regulation most clearly identifies the responsible party that had control of the animals at the time of non-compliance (for example, in cases of exposure to weather or environmental conditions that may cause suffering, injury, or death).
• Refer to Annex 4 for more details on the approaches regarding non-compliances when the 2 regulations apply.

6.2.1.1 Specific information for food animals waiting to be unloaded from a conveyance if the driver/transporter is at the establishment

• In the scenario where the driver/transporter is at the establishment waiting for the animals to be unloaded, the care of the food animals is a shared responsibility between the licence holder (SFCR 128 and 130) and the driver/transporter (HAR 138.2, 138.3 (2) and 146).
• This shared responsibility requires discussion between both regulated parties to develop/establish a collaborative approach.
• Although licence holders do not yet have total direct control over food animals awaiting slaughter on their property, which is part of the licence, they are still responsible, in part, for the conditions to which these animals are exposed and have control over some of those conditions as well as the planning of arrival and unloading times and slaughter schedules. Preventive measures in this sense must therefore be integrated and documented in their PCP for animal welfare.
• Non-compliance with section 128 or subsections 130(1), (2) and (3) of the SFCR occurs when food animals, still waiting in the conveyance, are exposed to conditions that are likely to cause them avoidable suffering, injury or death and no action is taken as per the licence holder's PCP for animal welfare.
• Examples of a collaborative approach between the 2 regulated parties:
  • the licence holder has direct control over the scheduling of the arrival and unloading of the food animals, as well as the ability to communicate delays to transporters. Therefore, in the event of a delay and if they are advised, drivers may take appropriate action based on their contingency plan in accordance with section 138.2 of the HAR in collaboration with the licence holder (for example, delay their arrival and continue to drive to provide passive ventilation on a hot and humid day)
  • the licence holder has direct control over the prioritization of animal's unloading when adverse animal welfare effects may occur or are observed while the conveyances are waiting
  • the licence holder may assist the driver in managing the weather and environmental conditions to which food animals are exposed at the establishment while the conveyances are waiting (for example, by allowing drivers to return to the road to passively ventilate animals without losing their place in the unloading queue, by managing "just-in-time" unloading or by providing shade, water/misting and ventilation adapted to the needs and particularities of the species etc.).

6.2.1.2 Specific information for food animals confined in crates waiting to be unloaded from a conveyance if the driver/transporter has left the establishment (birds/rabbits)

• Direct responsibility/control over food animals under the SFCR is easier to establish in case of birds/rabbits confined in crates when the conveyance/trailer is left by the driver in the yard of the slaughter establishment. In this scenario, the care of the food animals is under the direct control of the licence holder (regardless of whether the TOC notice and document have been acknowledged or not).

• To comply with SFCR 130 (1) and (2), the licence holder must conduct an initial assessment of the animals for signs of suffering and then continue to monitor them thereafter. To do this, it is acceptable that a representative sample of the load, from different parts of the conveyance, be considered. However, if there are repeated deviations demonstrating the ineffectiveness of the assessment and monitoring procedure (pattern of failure), the licence holder is expected to conduct a root cause analysis of the situation and address this risk in their PCP for animal welfare and its on-site implementation.

  Note: licence holders need to have credible assessment and monitoring procedures in place to enable them to identify birds/rabbits that are/ or at risk of suffering, injury or death while waiting to be slaughtered, so that they can take the necessary corrective actions. A representative sample means a sufficient number of birds/rabbits, as described in the licence holder's PCP for animal welfare, that represent, as closely as possible, the condition of the entire shipment in relation to the specific animal welfare risks present at the time of the assessment. These birds/rabbits must therefore be observed in several different locations considered to be most at risk on the trailer depending on the weather and environmental conditions (not just those birds/rabbits easily visible at eye level).

6.2.1.3 Specific information concerning Dead on arrival (DOA) and found dead animals at the establishment

• DOA are animals that died during transport and were observed upon arrival at the establishment, while found dead animals at the establishment are animals that died after arrival at the establishment, other than by being slaughtered. These include animals that have been humanely killed after arriving at the establishment.

• With regards to the application of the 2 regulations, the responsibilities of the regulated parties as it relates to these animals are:

  • driver/transporter: under the HAR 153, when animals are left at the slaughter plant, the driver/transporter must provide the licence holder with a TOC notice and document containing, among other things, information on the condition of the animals on arrival, including animals that have died during transport. The licence holder should acknowledge receipt of the TOC document provided by the driver/transporter and note any inaccurate animal condition information.
  • licence holder: under SFCR sub-paragraphs 166 (1) (b) (i) and (ii), the licence holder must prepare and keep documents that set out the date and time that the food animal was found dead at the establishment (either upon arrival or after arrival) and its identification number or any other information that identifies it. As well, under paragraph 166 (1) (c) and subsection 166 (2) of the SFCR, the licence holder must record the total number of dead animals per day and all this information must be kept for 1 year and be available to CFIA inspectors upon request.
    • The licence holder is expected to collaborate with local CFIA staff, and is required to report to CFIA, as soon as possible, any unacceptable outcomes regarding the welfare of animals, including the number or percentage of DOAs or found dead animals at the establishment. This prompt communication will allow the CFIA to conduct an evaluation of the situation to determine if the Compliance Verification of a System (CVS) – Humane Transport (HT) inspection task (tasks 1101 or 1102, as appropriate) and/or the PCI-IV Animal Welfare, Handling task should be performed.
    • In cases where the licence holder refuses to collaborate, you can use your power under the Health of Animals Act (HAA) (ss.38 (1) or an order under s.36) or the SFCA (ss.24 (2) or an order under s.27), depending on the situation, to formally require the licence holder to provide the information, on a case by case basis for a specific load, on any unacceptable outcomes regarding the welfare of animals. It can also be required that an animal or a thing (for example, a dead animal) be presented to the veterinary inspector under a specific manner and specific conditions, for an inspection to be performed including a necropsy. Depending on the situation, the request or order may either be made verbally or in writing (for example, an email). A written request would, however, facilitate the gathering of objective evidence related to the nature of the request and confirmation of receipt from the licence holder.

  Note: there is no percentage of DOA or found dead animals at the establishment that is considered "acceptable". Any animal that suffers, is injured, is DOA or found dead at the establishment is considered an unacceptable outcome with regards to animal welfare. However, not all such cases are a direct result of non-compliance with the SFCR or the HAR. In case of doubt, the CVS-HT and/or PCI-IV task should always be done by the CFIA.

6.2.2 Determine compliance

• CFIA's role is to verify compliance with SFCR. You must always follow the same systematic approach for all potential animal welfare non-compliance. Refer to Annex 2 for more details on the subject.
• It is the licence holder's role to find the cause of a deviation and to determine the reason for it (root cause analysis). Each situation is unique and different control and/or enforcement actions could be taken depending on the context. In the following sub-sections, general examples are given but each case is unique so judgment needs to be applied as well as consultation with the appropriate resources in your area, if needed.

6.2.2.1 Unavoidable and avoidable suffering, injury or death

• The term "avoidable" is used in the SFCR for the application of the animal welfare sections. This implies that some degree of suffering, injury or death is considered "unavoidable" for certain specific steps in the slaughter process, such as death by slaughter or the suspension of conscious birds immediately (meaning, for a minimum amount of time) prior to stunning and in accordance with CFIA guidelines. Therefore, the intent of the regulation is not for the term "unavoidable" to be applied to multitude situations in a slaughter establishment (for example, to compensate for a deficient implementation of a licence holder's PCP for animal welfare).
• Here is how "unavoidable" and "avoidable" suffering, injury or death should be interpreted when verifying compliance to the SFCR.

  • "Unavoidable" suffering, injury and death, refers to suffering, injury or death that:

    • are inextricably tied or inherent to the slaughter process itself and cannot be prevented or eliminated despite the use of best practices and management of all risk factors under the control/responsibility of the licence holder
    • arise from unforeseen events which are not under the control of the licence holder

    Note: when a situation is rare, it does not in itself mean that it is unavoidable. For a situation to be unavoidable, it must be considered unpredictable and/or impossible to prevent. Emergency plans must be an integral part of the PCP for animal welfare to minimise suffering, injury, and death of animals during emergency situations.

  • "Avoidable" suffering, injury and death, refers to all other suffering, injury or death that may occur in the context of slaughter processes and which must be prevented or eliminated.

    • In general, "avoidable" suffering, injury and death are:
      • foreseeable – known/documented risks, predictable based on the circumstances or on the fact that they have occurred before
      • preventable – there are best practices or reasonable means under the control/responsibility of the licence holder to prevent or eliminate the risk of their occurrence

• The licence holders are responsible for identifying all risk factors and must put in place mitigation preventive measures for all the risk factors within their control or responsibility. If they claim that certain risk factors are beyond their control, they must demonstrate this through a thorough root cause analysis.

  • It is important to keep in mind that preventive measures must be adapted to the unique operational conditions and associated risks to animal welfare encountered at each establishment. The licence holders must aim for continuous improvement and achieving maximum control of their process towards zero or very rare incidence of avoidable suffering.
  • These are the risks factors for which licence holders have direct control/responsibility:
    • Selecting, training and supervising employees to ensure they have necessary competencies and qualifications for humane handling/slaughtering animals (SFCR 49,75,135)
    • Implementing appropriate procedures for the humane handling and slaughter of animals (SFCR 128,136,141,142,143,144)
    • Maintaining conditions which do not put animals at risk of suffering, injury or death (SFCR 128,132,133,134)
    • Assessing animals for signs of suffering and the conditions they are subjected to from the time of their arrival at the establishment until they are slaughtered (SFCR 130)
    • Developing and implementing, as necessary, corrective action procedures and contingency plans as per their PCP for animal welfare (SFCR 130)
    • Using equipment properly and in a humane manner (SFCR 135)
    • Using suitable equipment (i.e. design, construction, and maintenance) (SFCR 49, 53,135)
    • Using suitable areas of the establishment (i.e. design, construction and maintenance) (SFCR 49, 57, 58, 63,64,65,133,134,135)
• Refer to Annex 3 for more details on how to differentiate unavoidable and avoidable suffering, injury or death

6.2.2.2 Non-compliance to the SFCR

It is the responsibility of the licence holder to always comply with the SFCR. To do this and under sections 86, 88 and paragraph 89 (1) (d), licence holders who handle (including receive) food animals are required to prepare, keep, maintain and implement a written PCP for animal welfare. The expected result is that the process is under control; that is to say, the licence holder takes immediate and effective corrective actions, according to their PCP, when a deviation regarding animal welfare occurs, implements effective preventive measures to prevent recurrence and documents the entire process.

It is not a non-compliance to the SFCR:

• if the licence holder identifies the deviation independently (without being notified by CFIA) and takes immediate and effective corrective action.
  • Example: a barn employee fails to identify a compromised lame animal during unloading but notices it later when the animal arrives in the holding pen. The barn employee immediately removes the animal from the pen and segregates it in the suspect pen with other compromised animals.

It is a non-compliance to the SFCR:

• if CFIA identifies a non-compliance and the licence holder takes immediate and effective corrective action only upon being made aware of the non-compliance by the CFIA.
  • Example: a barn employee does not notice a pig showing severe signs of porcine stress syndrome (PSS - also called fatigued porcine syndrome) upon arrival (non-ambulatory, tremors, labored breathing, vocalization, skin discoloration). As soon as you draw his attention to it, the employee immediately humanely kills the pig with a captive bolt followed by intra-thoracic bleeding.
• If the licence holder identifies a deviation but either fails to take immediate corrective action, or responds with incorrect action, or the corrective action is not effective.
  • Example: you notice live birds inside the DOA bin. The employee is already present, takes the birds from the bin and attempts to perform a cervical dislocation. The attempt is unsuccessful and when questioned, he mentions that he has not received training for this task. The birds are still alive and suffering.

• If the licence holder identifies a deviation and takes immediate and effective corrective action each time, but non-compliances to the same provision of the SFCR and having the same root cause recur frequently; this represents a pattern of failure. This can occur even if preventive measures have been put in place, indicating that they are ineffective.

  Note: a pattern of failure:

  • is associated with repeated deviations having the same root cause that indicates a trend toward a loss of control even if the operator identifies them and responds appropriately
  • is subjective as each case is unique. You must therefore exercise good judgment and have a good knowledge of the licence holder's history before concluding a pattern of failure

When there is non-compliance to SFCR, you must:

• inform the licence holder
• ensure the licence holder has implemented immediate and effective corrective actions
• take immediate control actions, if required
• create a non-compliance record and categorize the non-compliance
• follow-up in accordance with the SIP

6.2.2.3 Zero-tolerance deviations

• Zero-tolerance deviations are those that are avoidable, with high severity and serious effects on animal health (serious injury, suffering, permanent disability, death). It does not mean zero incidence but rather it means that when it happens, the licence holders must take effective corrective action immediately and do a root cause analysis to take preventative measures on factors over which they have direct control/responsibility to prevent recurrence.
• Zero tolerance deviations during care and handling of animal could include, but not limited to:
  • Mammalian and ratites:
    • no access to water
    • prodding on a sensitive area
  • Birds and rabbits:
    • birds/rabbits being injured by escaping or getting caught in open crates or equipment
    • free birds in the lairage not removed in a timely manner
    • live birds/rabbits in the crate's washing machine
  • As mentioned in section 6.2.2.2, control and/or enforcement actions depend on the licence holder's response.

6.2.2.4 Deliberate acts of cruelty

• Zero-tolerance deviations and deliberate acts of cruelty are different.
• Deliberate acts of cruelty are those where a single occurrence is unacceptable because of the willful nature in the act (clear intention to harm the animal).
• Use judgment to decide whether the action was unintentional or truly deliberate with the clear intention of harming animals.

• Deliberate acts of cruelty during care and handling of animal could include, but not limited to:

  • Mammalian and ratites:
    • violently hitting, beating or whipping an animal
    • deliberately slamming a gate on an animal
    • dragging, pushing, or performing any action on a conscious non-ambulatory or compromised animal in order to make them move or to deliberately cause avoidable injury or suffering
    • intentionally prodding an animal on a sensitive area
    • repeated prodding of the same animal, regardless of the cause or intentionally prodding an animal even if the animal has no clear path to move forward
    • violent acts to move an animal, such as breaking a tail or grasping eyes
    • lifting or dragging a conscious animal by body parts
    • willful misuse of an equipment or causing injury due to improper maintenance
  • Birds and rabbits:
    • kicking, hitting, throwing, crushing, or mutilating a bird/rabbit
    • intentionally washing a crate with live birds/rabbits in it
    • deliberately dropping, throwing, kicking a crate with live birds/rabbits in it

  Note: at your discretion and depending on the harm, history and intent, a non-compliance can be recorded in the Digital Service Delivery Platform tools and resources (DSDP) along with an enforcement response as per the SRRP and that even if the licence holder has responded to the situation.

6.2.2.5 Potential non-compliance to the SFCR

• CFIA's role is to verify compliance to regulatory requirements. When CFIA is not performing a PCI-IV animal welfare task but observes an animal welfare potential non-compliance, CFIA will evaluate the situation and the need to perform the PCI-IV task. The task should be done particularly if the concern is recurrent or if there is a risk of avoidable suffering for the animals.
  • Example: you notice a significant number of birds with broken wings on the evisceration floor. There is blood, which means this happened before slaughter. You may review the PCP for animal welfare to verify the measures related to injuries including broken wings and perform the PCI-IV tasks Animal Welfare, Handling and Animal Welfare, Facilities & Equipment.
  • Example: you notice that many cows slip but don't fall when they are moved to the holding pen after unloading. You may review the PCP for animal welfare to verify the measures related about slips and perform the PCI-IV tasks Animal Welfare, Handling and Animal Welfare, Facilities & Equipment.

6.3 Other specific information for the inspectors

6.3.1 Use of digital recording to support animal welfare inspection observations at Federal Slaughter Establishments

• Taking photographs and making recordings are part of the inspector's power listed in Subsection 24 (2) of the SFCA and may be used to support inspection observations. However, they are not intended to replace accurate note-taking or other inspection activities.
• It could be challenging to perform a detailed and complete inspection of a food animal without being on-site. The assessment of the color, texture or firmness of a tissue (for example, inflammation with swelling, heat, redness etc.) and the evaluation of signs of pain and suffering can be difficult to do via a photograph or video.
• Telemedicine is currently used in animal welfare in the following cases:
  • when the veterinarian has evaluated an animal or tissues on site and needs to consult with a pathologist or an animal welfare expert. The pathologist or the expert will determine whether an opinion can be given based on the photograph or video.
  • when the veterinarian is not immediately available and an inspector, acting on the veterinarian's advice, must consult with the veterinarian about an animal welfare situation at the establishment.
• Refer to the Operational guideline: Use of digital recording (camera, video, audio) devices during inspections for more details on the subject.

6.3.2 Handling of non-ambulatory animals in red meat slaughter establishments

• A non-ambulatory animal is an animal that is unable to stand without assistance or to move without being dragged or carried.
• Loading of a non-ambulatory animal for transport to a slaughter establishment, is not in compliance with the HAR. However, it is possible, for various reasons, for an animal to become non-ambulatory during transport and that the slaughterhouse is the nearest suitable place to unload the animal. It is also possible for an animal to become non-ambulatory in the live animal holding area after it has been transported and unloaded.
• When a non-ambulatory animal is observed, the CFIA should be notified to determine if a CVS-HT inspection and/or the PCI-IV Animal Welfare and Handling task should be conducted.
• If it is determined that the animal is non-ambulatory (there has been a reasonable attempt to get the animal to stand up without success), this animal must be prioritized for animal welfare reasons.
• In accordance with section 130(4) of the SFCR, if food animals are suffering, the licence holder must take immediate corrective measures regarding the animals to alleviate their suffering. In all cases, animals determined to be non-ambulatory must, as soon as possible, be humanely killed or stunned prior to slaughter where they lie.
• Refer to section 6.2 of the Operational guideline: Red meat ante-mortem inspection for more details regarding the handling of non-ambulatory animals in red meat slaughterhouses.

6.3.3 Livestock in the last 10% of their gestation period and which give birth before slaughter or have given birth within the last 48 hours, and their newborn

• Livestock means animals of the bovine, caprine, equine, ovine and porcine species.
• Loading and transporting an animal in the last 10% of their gestation period or that has recently given birth (in the last 48 hours) to a slaughter establishment, is not in compliance with the HAR.
• When this situation is observed, the CFIA should be notified to determine if a CVS-HT inspection or the PCI-IV Animal Welfare and Handling task should be conducted.
• These animals should be given priority due to animal welfare considerations. As per SFCR sections 128 and 130, if a food animal is suffering or is subjected to conditions that may cause suffering, injury or death, the licence holder must take immediate corrective actions with respect to the animal to alleviate that suffering or on the conditions to which the animal is subjected. So, in this case, the licence holder must take one of the 2 following measures:
  • alleviate the animal's suffering by:
    • in the case of the dam, stunning for slaughter in accordance with the SFCR or humanely killing as soon as possible
    • in the case of the neonate, humanely killing as soon as possible
  • keep the animals until they will be assessed as fit for transport again (after a minimum of 48 hours after giving birth) and in the meantime, isolate the animals (with the neonate) in a bedded pen and provide them with feed, water and appropriate care. The veterinary inspector must be notified when animals are removed from the establishment or when they are kept at the establishment for more than 7 days. Refer to section 6.3.4 for more details on the subject.

6.3.4 Animals that need to be removed from an establishment or kept in the establishment for more than 7 days

• For the application of section 137 of the SFCR, it is the responsibility of the licence holder to notify the CFIA veterinary inspector if animals are to be removed from the establishment or kept in the establishment for more than 7 days. Since the licence holder does not need CFIA authorization, the veterinary inspector should not fill any document approving the removal or the keeping of the animals as this could lead to a liability of CFIA if there were non-compliances to the SFCR/HAR regulations.
• The licence holder must comply to SFCR and HAR if such practice is being done:
  • The licence holder's PCP for animal welfare must include measure to prevent avoidable suffering, injury or death (for example, to prevent animal to become sick during this period).
  • The licence holder shall not load, confine or transport a compromised or unfit animal. An exception would apply for animals that are moved from to a veterinary clinic for veterinary care.
• You should perform a CVS-HT inspection and/or the PCI-IV Animal Welfare and Handling task, if required.

7.0 Annexes

Annex 1: signs of suffering and injury related to the species slaughtered at the establishment

Behavioural signs: escape reactions (avoidance behaviour, attempting to run away); fear, anxiety, excitement/agitation/nervousness; withdrawal or recoil response; standing apart from group, standing still (especially prey animals), not moving away from people when approached, hesitation to move/reluctance to walk, changing stance often, not eating; lack of curiosity or showing no interest in surroundings; writhing, tail flicking or swishing; aggressiveness; vocalization or attempts to vocalize (silent bellowing); chewing/rubbing/kicking the injured part; colic/kicking in the abdomen, kicking or pawing the ground; auto-mutilation, lethargy, laying down a lot; eyelids closed or half closed, not licking nostrils (ruminants).

Physiological signs: altered breathing patterns (shallow breathing, rapid breathing, groaning, increased respiratory rate, open mouth breathing, dyspnea); spontaneous autonomic responses (sweating, increased or reduced heart rate, increased or reduced body temperature); shivering, reduced gut motility, no rumination; grinding teeth; weight loss; muscle atrophy or increased muscle tone, tremors, twitching or spasms, excess salivation; dehydration/dry mucosae/sunken eye, signs of inflammation (heat, redness, swelling, pain, and loss of function).

Appearance: hair/feather coat (dull, rough, shaggy, ungroomed), hunched or rounded back; tense abdomen; discoloured skin, lowered head, head tilt, lowered ears, wings drooping; dull eyes, exophthalmos, dilated pupils; dirty nostrils; abnormal posture or gait, stiffness, lack of balance, poor coordination; weakness, looks lifeless, exhausted/depressed/stressed.

Annex 2: decision tree - systematic approach to animal welfare at slaughter – PCI-IV tasks

Description of the decision tree for the systematic approach to animal welfare at slaughter – PCI-IV tasks

If you observe a deviation, here's the systematic approach to follow:

First of all, you need to ask yourself whether this is a whether this is a contravention of the SFCR?

Depending on the answer, there are then 2 possibilities:

• Yes = you then ask yourself whether this is a deliberate act of cruelty?
  Depending on the answer, there are then 2 possibilities:

  • Yes = you take immediate control actions and record the non-compliance in the DSDP.

  • No = you then observe whether the licence holder identifies the deviation and takes immediate and effective corrective actions independently?
    Depending on the answer, there are then 2 possibilities:

    • Yes = you then ask yourself whether this is a pattern of failure?
      Depending on the answer, there are then 2 possibilities:

      • No = no corrective measures are required
      • Yes = immediate control actions, if need, and record the non-compliance in the DSDP.
    • No = you take immediate control actions, if needed, and record the non-compliance in the DSDP.
• Uncertain = you assess the situation and the need to carry out the PCI-IV task, particularly if the deviation is repetitive or if there is a risk of avoidable suffering for the animals.

For any record of non-compliance in the DSDP, the non-compliance must be categorized.

The appropriate PCI sub-element task should also be conducted, within 7 calendar days, as part of an "incident response" inspection case.

All follow-ups to non-compliances must be done in accordance with the SIP.

The SRRP should be used in the following cases:

• Following a follow-up in accordance with the SIP, if the state of compliance is not re-established (permanent corrective measures are not effective) or if there is a pattern of failure.
• For deliberate acts of cruelty and at the discretion of the inspector based on harm, history and intent.

Annex 3: decision tree - unavoidable and avoidable suffering, injury or death

Decision tree - unavoidable and avoidable suffering, injury or death (accessible only on the Government of Canada network - RDIMS 22709426).

Annex 4: decision tree - systematic approach to non-compliances related to animal welfare when the SFCR and HAR apply simultaneously

Decision tree - systematic approach to non-compliances related to animal welfare when the SFCR and HAR apply simultaneously (accessible only on the Government of Canada network – RDIMS 22711455).