Files and links (2)
Published (Version of record)CC BY-ND V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY-ND V4.0, Open
Journal article
The use of high expansion foam for stunning and killing pigs and poultry
EFSA journal, Vol.22(7), pp.1-73
01/07/2024
PMCID: PMC11240110
PMID: 39005713
Metrics
8 Record Views
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites
Abstract
The EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the use of high‐expansion foam for stunning and killing pigs and poultry. A dossier was provided by the applicant as the basis for an assessment of the extent to which the method is able to provide a level of animal welfare at least equivalent to that ensured by the currently allowed methods for pigs and poultry. According to legislation, to be approved in the EU, new stunning methods must ensure (1) the absence of pain, distress or suffering until the onset of unconsciousness, and (2) that the animal remains unconscious until death. An ad hoc Working Group set up by EFSA performed the assessment as follows: (1) The data provided were checked against the criteria laid down in the EFSA Guidance (EFSA, 2018), and was found to partially fulfil those criteria; (2) extensive literature search; (3) data extraction for quantitative assessment; (4) qualitative exercise based on non‐formal expert elicitation. The assessment led to conclude that it is more likely than not (certainty > 50%–100%) that high‐expansion foam for stunning and killing pigs and poultry, named NEFS in container (Nitrogen Expansion Foam Stunning in container), provides a level of welfare at least equivalent to one or more of the currently allowed methods listed in Annex I of Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009. The overall assessment of EFSA is valid only under the technical conditions described in this Opinion for laying hens, broiler chickens of all age and pigs weighing 15–41 kg in situations other than slaughter. The overall assessment of EFSA is that NEFS can be suitable for depopulation using containers for pig and poultry farms respecting the technical conditions and the categories and types of animals defined in this Scientific Opinion.
Details
- Title
- The use of high expansion foam for stunning and killing pigs and poultry
- Creators
- EFSA Panel Anim Hlth & Welfare AHAWSøren Saxmose Nielsen - University of CopenhagenJulio Alvarez - Huvepharma (Bulgaria)Dominique Joseph Bicout - VetAgro SupPaolo Calistri - University of Veterinary MedicineElisabetta Canali - University of MilanJulian Ashley Drewe - University of Veterinary MedicineBruno Garin-Bastuji - University of Veterinary MedicineJose Luis Gonzales RojasChristian Gortázar - University of Castilla-La ManchaMette S Herskin - Aarhus UniversityBarbara Padalino - University of BolognaMiguel Ángel Miranda ChuecaHelen Clare Roberts - European Food Safety AuthorityHans Spoolder - Wageningen University & ResearchKarl Stahl - University of Veterinary MedicineAntonio Velarde - University of Veterinary MedicineChristoph Winckler - University of Veterinary MedicineMohan RajArvo Viltrop - Estonian University of Life SciencesYves Van der StedeJessica MartinMarika Vitali - University of BolognaAlexei VyssotskiAikaterini ManakidouVirginie Michel - University of Veterinary Medicine
- Publication Details
- EFSA journal, Vol.22(7), pp.1-73
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons, Inc
- Identifiers
- 991013299427602368
- Copyright
- © 2024 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH on behalf of European Food Safety Authority. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and no modifications or adaptations are made.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; Veterinary Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article