Pre-slaughter inspection of livestock identifies welfare problems that should prevent animals from entering the slaughter process, but standards and enforcement vary widely.
Pre-slaughter inspection is a critical welfare checkpoint but is compromised by throughput pressure in many facilities. Animals with significant welfare problems including broken limbs, festering wounds, and advanced disease are sometimes transported to slaughter and processed when they should be euthanized on-farm or given veterinary attention. Non-ambulatory animals transported for slaughter experience significant suffering during transport and unloading. The failure to make emergency on-farm slaughter readily available creates situations where suffering animals are moved unnecessarily. Veterinary capacity at slaughter facilities is often insufficient for thorough inspection of all animals. CCTV monitoring can improve inspection compliance. Welfare at slaughter inspections should include lairage conditions, handling practices, and stunning quality.