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Training on hygienic slaughter practices and abattoir management organized at meat technology unit, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University.

A hands-on training programme for 25 veterinary surgeons working under the Animal Husbandry Dept, Kerala and various other agencies was conducted on 13-14 August 2018, at the Meat Technology Unit of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Mannuthy. The programme was inaugurated by Dr. V M Harris, President, Kerala State Veterinary Council. He stressed the need for development of awareness and skill on scientific and humane slaughter methods among the meat technicians and animal handlers. Kerala State Veterinary Council was on the path of skill-generation in the animal husbandry including the meat processing sector, he added. Dr. B. Sunil, Professor and Head, Meat Technology Unit, Mannuthy made the key-note address. He pointed out that the Veterinary Officers should play proactive roles in various sectors of meat industry including slaughterhouse construction, waste management, hygienic slaughter practices and welfare of meat animals. They should be acting as key resource persons for training the butchers and meat handlers of LSG institutions, he added. Dr. C Latha, Dean, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy presided the valedictory function. Dr. M K Pratheepkumar, District Animal Husbandry Officer, Thrissur, distributed the certificates.

The training programme had various lec-dem sessions on slaughter practices for different species with potential areas of intervention. The trainees also had a unique hands-on experience with preslaughter mechanical stunning of large animals. The unique process of dry rendering was demonstrated to the trainees, which offers a potential solution for the management of organic waste materials including those generated from chicken slaughter facilities. Various faculty of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Science University led the classes. The KVASU will design and implement follow-up trainings on scientific and humane slaughter methods for butchers with the help of LSG institutions, said Dr. V. N. Vasudevan, co-ordinator of the training programmes.