The Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) – caring beyond the farm gate
It’s hard to believe today but, when the HSA was founded in 1911, there were no laws protecting animal welfare at slaughter.
In 1928 there were over 20,000 private slaughterhouses in England, to which no-one involved in animal welfare had the right of entry, except with the permission of the owner. There was no requirement for those carrying out the slaughter to be assessed as to their fitness for the task, nor for their equipment to be inspected as to its suitability.
All animals slaughtered for food were bled by cutting their throats with a knife – a process known then and now as “sticking”. Large animals, mainly adult cattle and pigs, which were difficult to manually restrain prior to sticking, were therefore usually stunned first using a large, heavy hammer-like instrument known as a “poleaxe”. Smaller animals such as sheep and pigs were more manageable and so stunning was not considered necessary. The pain and suffering endured by these animals can only be imagined.
Since its foundation over 100 years ago, the HSA has led and/or contributed to major changes in attitudes towards animals, with scientific and technological developments resulting in huge improvements in methods for slaughter or killing. One of the current projects that the charity is undertaking is in relation to a potentially more humane way of stunning pigs using a Low Atmospheric Pressure System (LAPS).
Follow the link to read the article in full on the HSA website