Pig production systems and related effects on pre-slaughter animal welfare and meat quality

Pre-slaughter handling practices, such as fasting, transport, mixing and human interventions affect the welfare of pigs carcase meat quality individually cumulatively. Behavioural physiological studies conducted during pre-slaughter period revealed that producer-controlled factors at farm, housing system, previous experience, genetics, gender, nutrition slaughter weight can have an impact on pigs’ ease sensitivity to stress, which result in loss profits for pork chain due transport losses, reduced value lesions bruises defects. Research has shown originating from enriched conditions, not over-selected lean deposition trained be handled are easier handle more resilient effects physical stress prior slaughter. However, clear. The production entire males immunocastrates a valid alternative surgical castration, provided specific practices applied limit aggressiveness mixed group situations risk bruised carcases. Recommendations heavier must adapted improve reduce fatigue-related response feed deprivation affected by ractopamine dietary supplementation, composition feeding regime. objective this paper is overview on-farm quality, environmental, social economic sustainability.HIGHLIGHTSOn-farm pig lossesOn-farm handlingOn-farm food safety; unclear