INFLUÊNCIA DA AMBIENTAÇÃO E CONFORTO DAS AVES NAS LINHAS DE ABATE: ANÁLISE DE BEM-ESTAR ANIMAL

Abstract

The environment and comfort of birds on slaughter lines are essential components to ensure animal welfare in slaughterhouses, representing not only an ethical practice, but also a legal requirement in various regulatory contexts, according to Law No. 11,794/2008. Thus, the quality of the environment in which birds are kept before and during the slaughter process directly influences stress and suffering, factors that can compromise both animal health and food safety. In the current context, to ensure compliance with animal welfare in slaughterhouses, it is crucial to observe specific standards, such as Normative Instruction No. 56/2008, Ordinance No. 365 of July 16, 2021, and Ordinance No. 864 of July 31, 2023, of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA). These regulations aim to establish appropriate handling practices, ensuring that animals do not suffer unnecessarily throughout the entire process, from transporting the birds to the slaughterhouse to stunning prior to bleeding. They provide guidelines for attention to the handling and treatment conditions of the animals, making it essential for companies to adopt self-control programs aimed at animal welfare, focusing on preventing mistreatment and optimizing the production process. This technical article aims to explore the influence of the environment and comfort of birds on slaughter lines, with an emphasis on animal welfare, addressing essential aspects such as resting birds, reception, hanging, stunning and bleeding, in accordance with the Animal Welfare Self-Control Program 017 of São Salvador Alimentos S/A (SSA), which follows MAPA guidelines.