Study on the Major Problems that Causes Carcass and Organs Condemnation and Associated Financial Losses at Elfore Export Abattoir, Bishoftu, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted from December 2014 to April 2015 in Elfore export abattoir at Bishoftu using cross sectional study method. The aim of this study was to identify and determine the major problems that cause carcass and organs condemnation and to estimate the magnitude of the direct losses attributed to the condemned carcass and organs from Ovine and Caprine slaughtered in the abattoir. Standard ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection procedures were followed throughout the study. Ante-mortem inspection was carried out on arrival and in the lairage and abnormalities encountered were recorded, followed by postmortem examination through their identification number to detect gross abnormalities and aesthetic reasons that rendered each organ to be rejected from local and international market. During the study a total of 256 Ovine’s and 256 Caprine’s Carcass and Organs were examined. The study revealed that in both species 213 (41.6%) livers, 96 (18.75%) lungs, 56 (10.93%) heart, 59 (11.52%) kidney and34 (6.64%) carcass were rejected due to various causes. Stelisia hepatica 68 (13.28%), Emphysema 16(3.12%), pericarditis 16(3.12%), nephritis 13 (2.53%) and traumatic injury 18 (3.51%), were found to be the major causes responsible for rejection of respective organs and carcass respectively. Liver condemnation due to parasites such as Stilesia hepatica, hydatidosis and Cysticercus tenuicollis contributed to 68(13.28%), 57 (11.13%) and 54(10.54%) respectively of the total condemned liver of Shoat. However, there is no statistically significance difference (p>0.05) for all causes of liver condemnation between young and adult as well as between sheep and goats. The annual loss due to the rejection of carcass and organs from the Shoats’ slaughtered in the export abattoir is estimated at approximately 612,054.3USD. In conclusions results of the present study justify immediate need of prevention of various pathogens that causes organ and carcass condemnation and pathological abnormalities through development of animal health delivery, enforcement of slaughter policy, education on animal welfare/humane slaughter, and training of slaughterhouse personnel on standard slaughter operations.

Keywords: Elfore,Shoat,Ante-Mortem Inspection,Post-mortem Inspection,Organ, Carcass, Condemnation, Annual Loss