DTS: Diathermic Syncope® controlled trials

Summary

A dielectric (microwave) stunning system is being developed by Wagstaff Food Service Pty Ltd and Advanced Microwave Technologies. Previous research has demonstrated, using a small number of animals, that insensibility can be successfully induced in cattle, using DTS Diathermic Syncope. This project will validate these outcomes in a larger number of animals, demonstrating repeatability, at a pace more suited to a commercial processing situation. EEG assessment will be utilised on a subset of animals processed toconfirm insensibility.
An outcome of the work will be to have the Victorian Department progress the matter to the National Animal Welfare Task Group, submitting a paper to AWTG seeking recognition that “DTS Diathermic Syncope” (the process) constituted as a humane stunning method.

Objectives

1. Confirmation of previous Science works in a commercialized environment.
2. Data to support approval of the technology as commercial means of inducing insensibility on cattle for the production of meat for human consumption
3. A full report on the development and validation work.
4. A manuscript suited for submission for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
5. A review of the remaining data required to submit an application to the EU Animal Health and Welfare Panel; for assessment of DTS as an ‘alternative stunning intervention’, if that were desired.

Key findings

This project confirms pilot study outcomes in a larger number of cattle and explores the animal handling infrastructure and energy and power input parameters that would be suited to a commercial processing situation. 234 cattle, of a range of age, sex and bodyweight including heavy bulls and Brahman-type animals, were successfully stunned on first application of DTS. Live observations indicated that DTS consistently induces insensibility, with no vocalisation, no evidence of pain or distress, and EEG data confirmed the development of a high-amplitude-low-frequency (HALF) epileptiform state. The animal stunned using DTS can also return to consciousness, so this method of stunning is likely to be acceptable to the Halal, and maybe Kosher, markets.

Benefits to industry

DTS is an effective means of inducing insensibility in cattle, with a duration of insensibility suited to exsanguination using the Halal cut. Key parameters that are likely to be viewed favourably when compared against the current stunning method are:

• There was no requirement to perform a back-up ventral cut (thoracic stick), as the blood flow was strong and exsanguination rapid;
• Blood flow was visibly strong, and the pulsations associated with heart function were visible in the early stages of bleed-out;
• The stun does not cause cracks in the skull, so eliminates a source of rejection against Halal requirements, and eliminates a potential source of breaches noted on audit when the auditors’ interpretation of ‘cracked’ differs from the regular inspector;
• The stun is effective in heavy animals and bulls, which currently pose challenges to processors using percussive stunning;
• To date, no evidence of blood splash or ecchymosis has been encountered in any of the carcases processed.
The animal stunned using DTS can also return to consciousness, so this method of stunning is likely to be acceptable to the Halal, and maybe Kosher, markets.

If deemed acceptable by the Halal and Kosher markets, this technology could provide a solution to the current debate in Europe around banning the use of non-stunned (ritual) slaughter.

MLA action

MLA has entered into an agreement with Wagstaff Food Service Pty Ltd to help facilitate the commercialisation of the technology to assist its adoption in the Australian red meat industry.

Future research

A key challenge throughout this project was technical faults in energy delivery, and the stability of the infrastructure. For example, the co-axial cable used to transfer energy from the generator to the applicator did not withstand the higher power settings used early in the project. This project identified that incident power levels of 25 kW and above are not required, so that will reduce the pressure on the cable. Further work should focus on improving the infrastructure to resolve these issues, for example, develop a system that does not require the use of co-axial cables
At this point it should be noted that at no time was Animal Welfare compromised by these technical faults.