A survey of organs/offal condemnations and foetal losses in slaughtered trade cattle at abattoirs in North-central Nigeria: major causes and associated economic implications

Abstract

Retrospective and prospective surveys of slaughtered trade cattle at five major abattoirs in Northcentral Nigeria were conducted to investigate organs/offal condemnations, foetal losses and associated economic implications. Of the 2,114,475 trade cattle slaughtered at the abattoirs between 2011 and 2015, 10.6% (n=223,869) of them had some of their organs/offal condemned due to disease conditions. The highest frequently condemned organ/offal was liver (33%), followed by intestine (31%), and the least was heart (1%). Of the condemned livers, fasciolosis (1.88%) was the leading cause, followed by hydatidosis (0.67%) and cysticercosis (0.56%). Pneumonia accounted for 0.89% of the condemned lungs, followed by cysticercosis (0.59%). Hydronephrosis (0.16%) and cysticercosis (0.12%) were the main causes of kidneys condemnations. Hydatidosis was the highest (0.03%) cause of heart condemnation. Pimply gut (1.06%) was the main cause of condemnation of intestines, followed by enteritis (0.59%). However, 4.6% (n=52,234) of the slaughtered trade cows were pregnant. There was significant (p<0.001) influence of seasons on organs/ offal condemnations and foetal losses. Organs/offal were more likely to be condemned in the early rainy season (OR 1.08; 95% CI: 1.06-1.09) and early dry season (OR 2.22; 95% CI: 2.19-2.25). Foetal losses were more likely to occurred in the late rainy season (OR 1.19; 95% CI: 1.17-1.23) and early dry season (OR 1.18; 95% CI: 1.15-1.22). Total estimated economic loss due to condemned organs/offal was 5,467,126.40 USD and foetal loss was estimated at 8,789,630.10 USD. The present survey revealed relative burdens of organs/ offal condemnations and foetal losses in Nigeria with seasonal influence. These represent significant loss of protein to human population and revenue to livestock industry, with overall consequences on national food security. Occurrence of zoonotic diseases is of great public health concern. Strict enforcement of meat inspection legislations, especially at ante-mortem examinations, with good standard operating procedure is recommended.

Keywords: Abattoir, economic loss, foetal loss, organs/offal condemnation, surveillance, Nigeria