Condemnations in swine carcasses due to tail biting, abscesses, and pericarditis

Abstract

Pig farming in Brazil stands out globally in animal protein production; however, it faces significant challenges related to economic losses and compromised animal welfare resulting from carcass condemnations in slaughterhouses. These condemnations are frequently attributed to deficiencies in management, biosecurity, and rearing conditions, directly impacting productive efficiency and the quality of the final product. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of condemnations in pig carcasses due to tail biting, abscesses, and pericarditis in a slaughterhouse under sanitary inspection. The methodology employed a retrospective and quantitative study, analyzing inspection data from 115,075 slaughtered pigs. The results revealed 643 cases of lesions, with abscesses being the predominant cause (404 cases), followed by pericarditis (180) and tail biting (59). Statistical analysis (Chi-square) demonstrated a significant association between the month of slaughter and the type of lesion (p<0.001), as well as a direct correlation between tail biting and total carcass condemnation. It is concluded that management failures and sanitary issues on farms directly affect industrial efficiency and production sustainability. The implementation of preventive actions, focused on animal welfare and sanitary control, is important to mitigate financial losses, ensure product quality and, intrinsically, contribute to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as Health and Well-being, Sustainable Agriculture and Responsible Consumption and Production, reinforcing the social relevance of Veterinary Medicine in promoting more resilient and ethical food systems.