Projects
Policy Theme: Biosecurity, Food Safety and Animal Welfare
Regulations on Pre-Slaughter Stunning Requirements in Ghana: This project aims to establish clear, species-specific guidelines for pre-slaughter stunning to reduce biosecurity risks and ensure humane practices in slaughterhouses across Ghana.
The Issue
Ghana's current regulations on animal slaughter lack specific guidelines for pre-slaughter stunning, leading to practices that jeopardize public health. Without proper stunning, animals experience extreme stress, which can weaken their immune systems and increase the risk of infections that can be transmitted to humans. Many slaughterhouses operate without the necessary equipment or trained personnel, further raising the likelihood of contamination and foodborne illnesses. With a projected 491% increase in farmed animal populations by 2050, addressing these gaps is crucial to prevent widespread public health risks.
Why Pre-Slaughter Stunning Matters
Pre-slaughter stunning is a critical intervention to protect public health. Stunning animals before slaughter reduces stress, which minimizes the risk of contamination with harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella. It also decreases the likelihood of spreading zoonotic diseases through bloodborne pathogens and aerosols. By advocating for species-specific stunning regulations, Ghana can ensure the production of safe, high-quality meat and safeguard public health as the country’s animal agriculture sector continues to grow.
Current and Projected Animal Population
Ghana's livestock population was approximately 106 million animals in 2022, with projections indicating a significant rise to 414 million by 2050. Although this project focuses on large-scale slaughterhouses, which handle a major share of the slaughtered animals, it will set a standard that could influence smaller operations and the broader industry over time.
Current Livestock Population (2022):
Poultry: 88,666,000
Goats: 5,845,718
Sheep: 5,845,718
Cattle: 2,238,857
Pigs: 846,058
Fishes (Aquaculture): 64,942,628
Total: 106,255,913
Public Health Impact
Animals Slaughtered Annually:
Poultry: 91,049,000
Goats: 1,939,059
Sheep: 1,207,251
Cattle: 290,000
Pigs: 671,247
Fishes (in Tonnes): 392,761.55
Total: 95,156,557
Focusing on large-scale slaughterhouses will have a profound effect on public health by:
Reducing Contamination Risk: Large-scale facilities often handle high volumes of animals, making effective stunning crucial for minimising the risk of contamination with bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella. This will contribute to safer meat products and fewer foodborne illnesses.
Preventing Disease Transmission: Proper stunning in large-scale operations reduces the likelihood of zoonotic diseases spreading through aerosols and contact with bodily fluids, protecting both consumers and workers.
Enhancing Meat Quality: Effective stunning will improve meat quality by reducing stress-induced degradation, resulting in safer, higher-quality products with a longer shelf life.