Major Cause of Organ and Carcass Condemnation and Its Financial Loss at Bishoftu Elfora Export Abattoir

Abstract

The study was conducted from October 2013 to April 2014 in ELFORA export abattoir. The aim of this study was to identify and determine the major causes of organ and carcass condemnation and to estimate financial losses attributed to the condemned organs and carcasses from sheep and goats slaughtered in the abattoir. Standard antemortem and postmortem inspection procedures were followed throughout the study. Antemortem inspection was carried out in the lairage. There were higher record of nasal discharge, coughing, depression and lameness in both species. Postmortem examinations were conducted through their identification number to detect gross abnormalities and aesthetic reasons that rendered each organ to be rejected from the view of local and international markets. A total of 384 sheep and 384 goats slaughtered in the abattoir were included in the study. From these slaughtered animals, 768 organs and carcasses were examined. The study revealed that a total of 325 (42.3%) livers, 285 (37%) lungs, 40 (5.20%) hearts, 76 (9.90%) kidneys and 42 (5.46%) carcasses were rejected due to various causes. Stelesia hepatica (38.3%), pneumonia (60%), pericarditis (54.3%) and nephritis (35.3%) were found to be the major causes responsible for rejection of respective organs and carcass. The annual loss due to the rejection of organs and carcasses from the small ruminants slaughtered in ELFORA export abattoir is estimated to be 79,894.58 USD. In conclusions results of the present study justify immediate need of prevention of various pathogens that causes organ and carcass condemnation and pathological abnormalities through development of animal health delivery, enforcement of slaughter policy, education on animal welfare/humane slaughter, and training of slaughterhouse personnel on standard slaughter operations.

Full text

International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
2015; 4(3): 364-372
Published online May 6, 2015 (http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ijnfs)
doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20150403.24
ISSN: 2327-2694 (Print); ISSN: 2327-2716 (Online)
Major Cause of Organ and Carcass Condemnation and Its
Financial Loss at Bishoftu Elfora Export Abattoir
Aynalem Mandefro
1
, Kassaye Aragaw
2
, Birhanu Hailu
1, *
, Gezahegn Alemayehu
1
, Gemechu Chala
2
1
College of Veterinary Medicine, Samara University, Samara, Ethiopia
2
School of Veterianry Medicine, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
Email address:
birhailu2002@gmail.com (B. Hailu)
To cite this article:
Aynalem Mandefro, Kassaye Aragaw, Birhanu Hailu, Gezahegn Alemayehu, Gemechu Chala. Major Cause of Organ and Carcass
Condemnation and Its Financial Loss at Bishoftu Elfora Export Abattoir. International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences.
Vol. 4, No. 3, 2015, pp. 364-372. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20150403.24
Abstract:
The study was conducted from October 2013 to April 2014 in ELFORA export abattoir. The aim of this study was
to identify and determine the major causes of organ and carcass condemnation and to estimate financial losses attributed to the
condemned organs and carcasses from sheep and goats slaughtered in the abattoir. Standard antemortem and postmortem
inspection procedures were followed throughout the study. Antemortem inspection was carried out in the lairage. There were
higher record of nasal discharge, coughing, depression and lameness in both species. Postmortem examinations were
conducted through their identification number to detect gross abnormalities and aesthetic reasons that rendered each organ to
be rejected from the view of local and international markets. A total of 384 sheep and 384 goats slaughtered in the abattoir
were included in the study. From these slaughtered animals, 768 organs and carcasses were examined. The study revealed that
a total of 325 (42.3%) livers, 285 (37%) lungs, 40 (5.20%) hearts, 76 (9.90%) kidneys and 42 (5.46%) carcasses were rejected
due to various causes. Stelesia hepatica (38.3%), pneumonia (60%), pericarditis (54.3%) and nephritis (35.3%) were found to
be the major causes responsible for rejection of respective organs and carcass. The annual loss due to the rejection of organs
and carcasses from the small ruminants slaughtered in ELFORA export abattoir is estimated to be 79,894.58 USD. In
conclusions results of the present study justify immediate need of prevention of various pathogens that causes organ and
carcass condemnation and pathological abnormalities through development of animal health delivery, enforcement of slaughter
policy, education on animal welfare/humane slaughter, and training of slaughterhouse personnel on standard slaughter
operations.
Keywords:
Sheep, Goats, Organ, Carcass, Condemnation, Export Abattoir, Antemortem Inspection,
Postmortem Examination, Financial Loss
1. Introduction
Small ruminants are important domestic animals in the
tropical animal production system (Devendra and Meclorey,
1990). Within African society, small ruminant comprise a
greater proportion of the total wealth of the poor families,
because of the low input requirements such as small initial
capital, fewer resources and maintenance cost. They are
also able to produce milk and meat in readily usable
quantities using marginal lands and poor pasture and crop
residues. Furthermore, their production cycle make them
need only short periods to reconstitute flocks after disaster
and respond quickly to the demand (Getenby, 1991).
Sheep and goat population in Ethiopia is approximately
25.98 and 21.96 million, respectively (FAO, 2010) which
cover over 30% of all domestic meat production of the
country. Small ruminants are found mainly in the lowland
agro-ecology which constitutes 65% of the area, where 25%
sheep and close to 100% goat’s population exist (PACE-
Ethiopia, 2003). They generate cash income from export of
meat, edible organs, skins and live animals (Ibrahim, 1998).
An increase in small ruminants production could contribute
to the attainment of food self sufficiency in the country
particularly in response to protein requirement for the
growing human population as well as to enhance the export
earnings (Teferi, 2000).

365 Aynalem Mandefro et al.: Major Cause of Organ and Carcass Condemnation and Its Financial Loss
at Bishoftu Elfora Export Abattoir
Abattoir data is an excellent option for detecting diseases
of both economic and public health importance (Arbabi and
Hooshyr, 2006; Abbuna et al., 2010) especially in
ascertaining the extent to which human is exposed to
certain zoonotic diseases in addition to estimating the
financial implications of carcass condemnations (Jobre et
al., 1996). Surveillance at the abattoir allows for all animals
passing in to human food chain to be examined for unusual
signs, lesions or specific disease (Alton et al., 2010).
Monitoring all conditions at slaughter has been recognized
as one way of assessing the disease status of herd, however
this source of information is not fully exploited worldwide
(Mellau et al., 2010).
The purpose of meat inspection is to protect public health
and to provide risk free products to the society. Also, it
provides information that can be utilized for animal
diseases control (Gracey et al., 1999).Meat inspection,
comprising of ante mortem and postmortem examination, to
remove gross abnormalities from meat and its products,
prevention of distribution of contaminated meat that could
result to disease risk in man and animals and assisting in
detecting and eradication of certain diseases of livestock
(Van Longtestijin, 1993).
Ante mortem inspection attempts
to avoid introduction of clinically diseased animals in to
slaughterhouse and also serves to obtain information that
will be useful in making sound post mortem inspection
(Herenda et al., 1994; Teka, 1997).
Post mortem inspection is the centre around which meat
hygiene revolves since it provides information essential for
evaluation of clinical signs and pathological process that
affect the wholesomeness of meat (Herenda et al., 1994).
As meat is the main source of protein to man, it should be
clean and free from diseases of particular importance to the
public such as tuberculosis and cysticercosis. Meat is also
condemned at slaughter to break the chain of some
zoonoses which are not transmitted to man directly via meat
like hydatidosis and other important diseases of animals
such as fasciolosis (Jibat, 2006).
Each year a significant economic loss results from
mortality, poor weight gain, condemnation of edible organs
and carcasses at slaughter. This production loss in the
livestock industry is estimated at more than 900 million
USD annually (Jacob, 1979; Abebe, 1995; Jobre et al.,
1996). The major causes of organs condemnation during
postmortem inspection are disease caused by parasites,
bacterial and other abnormalities. The final judgment as to
action to be taken with an organ, carcass or part of carcass
is based on the total evidence produced by the visual
observation, palpation and incision (Teka, 1997).
It is necessary to have clear information on major causes
of organs and carcass condemnation at the abattoir. This is
important in providing information on where and how to
reduce the losses that may be caused by the various
abnormalities (lesions/pathology). Various studies (Jembere,
2002; Yimam, 2003; Aseffa, 2005; Getachew, 2008;
Regessa et al., 2013) were carried out in the country in this
regard to know the causes and economic losses associated.
However there is little information regarding to cause and
associated economic loss in Bishoftu ELFORA export
abattoir.
Therefore, this study was designed to identify the
major causes of organs and carcasses condemnation at
Bishoftu ELFORA export abattoir and to assess the
magnitude of direct financial losses.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study Area Description
The study was conducted from October 2013 to April
2014 in ELFORA export abattoir. ELFORA abattoir is
found in Bishoftu town, which is located at 90
0
N and 400
E
0
with an altitude of 1880 masl in the central highlands of
Ethiopia 47 Kms South East of Addis Ababa. It has annual
rainfall of 1151.6mm of which 84% falls down during the
long rainy season that extends from June to September and
the remaining during the short rainy season that extends
from March to May. The mean annual minimum and
maximum temperatures is 8.5
0
C and 30
0
C, respectively,
and the mean humidity is 61.3% (NMSA, 2003). The study
animals were small ruminants destined for slaughter. These
animals were all males originated from different parts of the
country including Arsi, Bale, Afar, Shewa, Wollo, Omo,
Borena and Jenka. They were transported to the abattoir
using vehicles.
2.2. Study Design and Methodology
A cross-sectional study was conducted in sheep and goats
slaughtered in ELFORA abattoirs with the study period
ranged from October 2013 to April 2014 in the export
abattoir to identify the major cause of organ and carcass
condemnation. In this study, animals were grouped in to
young (under 1 year of age in goats and 1years and 3
months in sheep) based on eruption of one or more incisor
teeth according to (Vatta et al., 2005). Animals belonging to
a group of young and adult were randomly sampled using
systematic sampling method and examined by ante mortem
and postmortem examination. Sample size was calculated
using the formula given by (Thrusfield, 2005) with 50%
expected prevalence, 95% confidence interval and 5%
desired absolute precision. Accordingly, the sample size
was determined to be 384 for each species.
2.3. Abattoir Survey
2.3.1. Antemortem Inspection
In the cross-sectional study of active abattoir survey, both
ante mortem and post mortem inspections were carried out
in accordance with the procedures of Ethiopian Ministry of
Agriculture Meat Inspection Regulation (EMAMIR, 1972).
In the ante mortem inspection, pre-slaughter examinations
of small ruminants were conducted at lairage and various
information concerning age; body condition score and
origin of each study animals were properly recorded. The
age grouping was done based on dentition standard given
by Vatta et al., 2005). Those animals which have not

International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences 2015; 4(3): 364-372 366
erupted permanent incisor teeth and one pair of permanent
incisors (i.e. <1 year to 1½ years (for sheep) and <1 year to
2 years (for goats)) were grouped as young. Those having
two pairs and above permanent teeth (i.e. ≥1½ years (for
sheep) and ≥2 years (for goats) were grouped as adult. Body
condition scoring was carried out based on the handbook
given by Ethiopian Sheep and Goat Productivity
Improvement Program (ESGPIP, 2008). The scores were
classified in to six categories namely starving (0), very thin
(1), thin (2), moderate (3), fat (4) and very fat (5). For
convenience, these categories were summarized in to three
classes as poor (0 and 1), medium (2 and 3) and good (4
and 5). Additionally, general behavior of the animals
nutritional status, cleanliness and sign of diseases and
abnormality of any type were registered according to the
standard ante mortem inspection procedures and animals
that were fit for human consumption were allowed for
slaughter (Gracey, 1986).
2.3.2. Post Mortem Examination
During postmortem inspection liver, lungs, heart, kidney,
brain and carcasses were thoroughly inspected by
visualization, palpation and making systemic incisions
where necessary for the presence of cysts, parasites and
other abnormalities. Pathological lesions were differentiated
and judged according to guidelines on meat inspection for
developing countries (Herenda et al., 1994). The results
were recorded and the decisions were classified as totally
approved, partially approved, conditionally approved as fit
for human consumption and totally condemned as unfit for
human consumption (FAO, 1993).
2.4. Assessment of Financial Loss
All affected organs and carcasses were rejected from
international market since partial approval was not
practiced in the abattoirs and the analysis was based on the
annual slaughter capacity of the abattoirs considering
market demand, average market prices in international and
local market and the rejection rates of specific organ and
carcass. The annual slaughter rates were estimated from
retrospective abattoir record. The economic loss due to
condemnation was estimated by the formula set by
Ogunrinade (Ogunrinade, 1980). As follows:
. .
EL srx Coy Roz
=
∑
(1)
where: EL = Annual financial loss estimated due to organ and
carcass condemnation from
International market. Σsrk = Annual sheep/ goats slaughter
rate of the abattoir
Сoy = Average cost of each sheep or goats liver/ lung/ heart/
kidney/ brain and carcass
Roz = Condemnation rates of
sheep/goats/liver/lung/heart/kidney/brain and carcass
2.5. Data Analysis
Collected data from records and from active abattoir
survey were entered in to Excel spread sheet and process of
coding, cleaning and validating was done on this sheet. For
the data from post mortem inspection, descriptive statistics
were used to determine organ and carcass condemnation rates,
defined as proportion of organs and carcasses condemned to
the total number of organs and carcasses examined. The
respective financial losses were also calculated. Possible
variation between rejection rates of specific organs, age
groups and species were taken into consideration.
3. Result
3.1. Abattoir Survey
3.1.1. Antemortem Inspection
Antemortem inspection was carried out on all 768 shoats
(384 ovine and 384 Caprine) for the detection of any
abnormalities encountered in the ELFORA export slaughter
houses. A total of 82 (21.35%) caprine and 81 (21.09%)
ovine species were found to have abnormalities listed bellow
(Table 1). Nasal discharge, coughing, depression and
lameness were frequently observed in both species.
Table 1. Summary of abnormalities or condition encountered during
antemortem inspection in both species.
Abnormality/condition
encountered
Caprine
(n=384) %
Ovine
(n=384) %
Total
(n=768) %
Nasal discharge 34 (8.85) 37 (9.64) 71 (9.3)
Depression 15 (3.9 ) 0 (0) 15( 2)
Coughing 17(4.43) 15(3.91) 32 ( 4.1)
Local swelling 2 (0.52) 3 (0.78) 5 (0.65)
Emaciation 3 (0.78) 9 (2.34) 12 (1.56 )
Lameness 11 (2.86) 17 (4.43) 28 (3.64)
Total 82 (21.35) 81 (21.09) 163 (21.2)
3.1.2. Postmortem Examination
All animals that had been examined by antemortem
inspection were also subjected to postmortem examination. A
total of 768 shoats (384 ovine and 384 caprine) were
slaughtered and thoroughly examined by following standard
postmortem procedure. From the total organs examined in
both species 325 (42.3%) livers, 285 (37.4%) lungs,
40(5.20%) heart, 76(9.90%) kidney, 42 (5.46%) carcass were
condemned from the international and local market based on
their gross pathological lesions as shown in table 2.

367 Aynalem Mandefro et al.: Major Cause of Organ and Carcass Condemnation and Its Financial Loss
at Bishoftu Elfora Export Abattoir
Table 2. Total number of animal slaughtered and rejection rate of specific organs.
Animal Species Organ and carcass condemnation n(%) Total examined organs
Ovine Liver Lung Heart Kidney Carcass
Young 76 (46.5) 71 (37.2) 10 (5.2) 13 (7.9) 9(5.2) 179
Adult 98 (60.1) 61 (34.7) 12 (7.3) 23 (13.5) 11 (7.3) 205
Sub-total 174(53.3) 132 (36) 22 (6.52) 36(10.68) 20(6.25) 384
Caprine Liver Lung Heart Kidney Carcass
Young 66 (37.1) 71 (38.7) 8(4.2) 20 (11.0) 9 (5.2) 174
Adult 85 (46.1) 82 (43.0) 10 (7.3) 20 (10.4) 13 (6.7) 210
Sub-total 151 (41.3) 153 (40.8) 18(5.72) 40(10.68) 22(5.98) 384
Grand total 325 (42.30) 285 (37) 40 (5.20) 76 (9.90) 42(5.46) 768
The frequency of liver condemnation was higher in sheep
(205/384, 53.3%) than in goats (160/384, 41.6%) with
statistical significance variation (P= 0.014). However, there
was no observed statistical difference in condemnation rates
for lungs, hearts, kidneys and carcasses between the two
species and age groups (p>0.05). Parasites of S. hepatica,
Fasciola species, Cysticercus tenuicollis and hydatid cysts
were major causes of livers condemnation with rates of
140/365(38.3%), 20(5.47%), 53(14.3%) and 9 (2.45%)
respectively. Hepatitis at a rate of 101 (27.6%), abscess
11(3%) and calcification 45 (12.3%) found to be significant
causes of liver condemnation. Fasciolosis caused higher liver
condemnations in sheep (3.92%) than in goats (1.3%) and
hepatitis was found to be a major cause of liver
condemnation in sheep (21.8%) than in goats (4.69%).
However, S. hepatica caused higher rate of liver
condemnation in goats (12.1%) than in sheep (9.5%) (p=
0.043). Similarly, Cysticercus tenuicollis cause significant
losses in goats (8.07%) than in sheep (5.73%) and all these
results were indicated in table 3.
Table 3. Summary liver condemnation and rejection rate in both species.
Percentage and frequency of liver condemnation
Ovine (n%) Caprine (n%)
Abnormalities Young Adult Total Young Adult Total
Hepatitis 39 (20.4) 44 (22.8) 83 (21.61) 7 (3.7) 11 (5.7) 18 (4.69)
Stelesia hepatica 18 (9.4) 31 (16.1) 49(12.76) 42 (22.0) 49 (25.4) 91 (23.7)
C. tenuicolis 10 (5.2) 12 (6.2) 22 (5.73) 7 (3.7) 10 (5.2) 31 (8.07)
Calcification 10 (5.2) 16 (8.3) 26 (6.77) 10 (5.2) 9 (4.7 ) 19 (4.95)
Hydatidosis 4 (2.1) 1 (0.5) 5 (1.30) 1 (0.5) 3 (1.6) 4 (1.04)
Abscess 1 (0.5) 4 (2.1) 5 (1.30) 2 (1.0) 4 (2.1) 6 (1.56)
Fasciolosis 7(3.7) 8 (4.1) 15(3.91) 2 (1.0) 3 (1.6) 5 (1.30)
Total 89 (46.59) 116 (60) 205 (53.38) 71 (37.1) 89 (46.1) 160 (45.3)
A total of 138 (35.9%) and 157(50.9%) lungs were
condemned in sheep and goats respectively. The major causes
of lung condemnation were by pneumonia comprising 60%
followed by emphysema 17%. There was no statistically
significance difference (p>0.05) for all causes of lung
condemnation between age and species of sheep and goat.
Rate of condemnations due to hydatidosis was higher in the
lungs 2.08% in sheep than 0.78% in goats as shown in Table
4.
Table 4. Summary of lung condemnation and rejection rate in both species.
Percentage and frequency of lung condemnation (n%)
Caprine Ovine
Abnormalities Young Adult Total Young Adult Total
Pneumonia 48 (25) 48 (24.9) 96 (25.00) 46 (24.1) 37 (19.2) 83 (21.01)
Hydatidosis 1 (0.5) 2 (1.0) 3 (0.78) 3 (1.6) 5 (2.6) 8 (2.08)
Calcification 6 (3.1) 9 (4.7) 15 (3.91) 5 (2.6) 4 (2.1) 9 (2.34)
C. teniculosis 7 (3.7) 10 (5.2) 17 (4.43) 6 (3.1) 5 (2.6) 11 (2.86)
Emphysema 12 (6.3) 14 (7.3) 26 (6.77) 11 (5.6) 16 (8.3) 27 (7.03)
Total 74 (19.27) 83 (21.6) 157 (40.88) 71 (37.1) 67 (31.6) 138 (35.93)
Out of a total of 45 hearts condemned, pericarditis
contributed 54.3% as major cause followed by calcification
(32.6%) and abscess (10.9%). No statistically significant
difference was observed between the two species and age
groups (p> 0.05) in heart condemnation rate as listed in Table
5.

International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences 2015; 4(3): 364-372 368
Table 5. Summary of heart condemnation and rejection rate.
Abnormalities
Percentage and frequency of heart condemnation (n%).
Ovine Caprine
Age group Young Adult Total Young Adult Total
Pericarditis 4 (2.1) 7 (3.6) 11(2.86) 5 (2.6) 9 (4.7) 14 (3.65)
Calcification 3 (1.6) 5 (2.6) 8 (2.08) 3 (1.6) 4 (2.1) 7 (1.82)
Abscess 2 (1.0) 2 (1.0) 4 (1.04) 0 (0) 1 (0.5) 1 (0.26)
Total 9 (4.7) 14 (7.25) 23 (5.98) 8 (2.08) 14 (3.64) 22 (5.7)
Renal problems were observed in 82 pairs (10.6%) of the
total kidneys examined. Nephritis accounting for 35.36 %
(29/82) followed by calcification 31.7% (26/82) which was
the major pathological lesions. There is no statistically
significance association for the causes of kidney
condemnation between sheep and goat and age groups
(p>0.05) as indicated in table 6.
Table 6. Summary of kidney condemnation and rejection rate.
Abnormality Percentage and frequency of kidney condemnation (n%)
Caprine Ovine
Young (n=191) Adult (n=193) Total Young Adult Total
Abscess 2 (1.0) 1 (0.5) 3 (0.78) 0 0 -
Calcification 6 (3.1) 7 (3.6) 13 (3.39) 5 (2.6) 8 (4.1) 13 (3.39)
Mechanical damage 4 (2.1) 7 (3.6) 11 (2.86) 6 (3.1) 7 (3.6) 13 (3.39)
Nephritis 9 (4.7) 5 (2.6) 14 (3.65) 4 (2.1) 11 (5.7) 15 (3.91)
Total 21 (5.46) 20 (5.2) 41 (10.6) 15 (7.85) 26 (13.47) 41 (10.6)
The major pathological conditions for carcass rejection
from international market were bruising accounting for 31.91%
(15/47) followed by Adhesion (25.53 %; 12/47) during this
study as shown in table 7.
Table 7. Summary of carcass condemnation and rejection rate.
Abnormality Percentage and frequency of carcass condemnation (n %)
Caprine Ovine
Young (n=191) Adult (n=193) Total (n=384) Young (n=191) Adult (n=193) Total (n=384)
Bruising 3 (1.6) 6 (3.1) 9 (2.34) 2 (1.0) 6 (3.1) 8 (2.08)
Discoloration 1 (0.5) 1 (0.5) 2 (0.52) 2 (1.0) 2 (1.0) 4 (1.04)
Abscess 3 (1.6) 2 (1.0) 5 (1.30) 4 (2.1) 2 (1.0) 6 (1.56)
Adhesion 2 (1.0) 4 (2.1) 6 (1.56) 2 (1.0) 4 (2.1) 6 (1.56)
Total 9 (4.7) 13 (6.8) 22 (5.72) 10 (5.2) 14 (7.2) 24 (6.25)
3.2. Estimation of Financial Losses
Estimated of annual financial loss was computed based on
the annual slaughter rate of both species, average cost of
condemned organ and carcass during the study period and
condemnation rate of the slaughter house as indicated in the
above equations. Based on these parameters, the annual
financial loss was estimated to be 79894.58 USD from both
domestic and international markets.
4. Discussion
Ante mortem and post mortem inspections were conducted
in the abattoir for the purpose of screening and removing
animal products with pathological lesions which were unsafe
for human consumption and having poor aesthetic values. It
was indicated that meat inspection assist in monitoring
diseases in national herd and flock by providing feedback
information to veterinary service to control or eradicate
diseases and to produce wholesome products and to protect
public from zoonotic hazards (Van Llogtestijn, 1993; Gracey
et al., 1999). Hence, the gathered information from abattoir
record can be used by farmers to improve the husbandry of
their animals in such a way that farmers can improve the
overall management of their animals so that pre-slaughter
problems would be reduced (Edwards et al., 1999).
Meat inspection and meat hygiene shall make sure that
meat and meat products are safe and wholesome for human
consumption. The classical ante-mortem and post-mortem
procedures were designed to detect disease in an animal
before slaughter and lesions produced by the disease after
slaughter respectively (Herenda et al., 2000). The most
commonly encountered abnormalities during ante mortem
inspection were nasal discharge, lameness, localized swelling
and coughing. Diseased animals that show signs of

369 Aynalem Mandefro et al.: Major Cause of Organ and Carcass Condemnation and Its Financial Loss
at Bishoftu Elfora Export Abattoir
abnormality during ante mortem inspection should not be
allowed to enter the abattoir for slaughter (Teka, 1997).
During the ante mortem examinations, it was found that
lameness and respiratory disorders were relatively the highest
abnormalities encountered during the ante mortem inspection.
According to the information obtained from the suppliers,
most causes of lameness was trauma caused by inappropriate
vehicles and loading and off-loading negligence during
transportation to market places and to the abattoir a similar
reason with (Regessa et al., 2013). The respiratory signs such
as presence of nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing were most
probably related to stress due to lack of feed and water,
immune suppression and overcrowding during transportation
which was in line with Getachew (2008). In the present study,
organ condemnation rate showed that, liver and lung were the
most frequently affected organs with the highest condemnation
rate followed by kidney, heart and carcass. This finding is in
agreement with reports of Cadmus and Adesokan (2009) who
recorded that lungs (45.7%) and the liver (32.9%) were the
most affected organs with the kidney (0.02%) and the heart
(0.01%) being the least. Similar findings were also reported
from Gondar, Northern Ethiopia (Yimam, 2003) and Nigeria
(Ojo, 1992). Parasites and poor management practices were the
major causes of organ and carcass condemnations. Losses
from liver condemnation were assumed to occur since hepatic
pathology is associated to infection that might have public
health importance (Radostitis et al., 2000; Budke et al., 2006)
and aesthetic value.
A high number of livers (47.5%) were condemned from
sheep and goat due to several reasons: from the total shoats
slaughtered, parasites like Cysticercus tenuicollis, Stilesia
hepatica, and fasciola species were found to be the major
causes that rendered liver rejection from international market.
Previous studies have indicated a higher economic loss
resulting from condemnation of edible organs and carcasses
due to parasitic causes (Negategize et al., 1993; Jembere,
2002; Aseffa, 2005; Jibat, 2006). The higher rate of
fasciolosis observed in sheep in comparison with goats could
be due to their feeding behavior where sheep are usually
grazers and goats tend to be more of browsers making them
less exposed to the parasite (Mungube et al., 2006).
Cumulative incidence of liver condemnation due to S.
hepatica at 9.1% and 12.5% in sheep and goats, respectively,
which is similar report was observed (Ejeta et al., 2008). The
epidemiology of S. hepatica and C. tenuicolis was not well
established in sheep and goats; hence, it may be difficult to
explain why significantly more livers were condemned in
goats than in sheep.
Lungs were condemned from the total lungs inspected in
35% ovine and 40% caprine species from being used as pet
food because of reasons like pneumonia, emphysema,
hydatid cysts and cysticercus tenuicolis. Pneumonia accounts
for 60% as a principal cause of lung condemnation both in
sheep and goat. Similar report was observed during
retrospective study (Regassa et al., 2013).
It was also
reported pneumonia as a principal cause of lung
condemnation in central Ethiopia accounting for 42.1%
(Getachew, 2008). It is observed that animals transported on
foot suffer from transportation stress and lack of feed and
water route. Those which were transported on open trucks are
overcrowded and furthermore, animals are suffocated at the
lairages and there was short resting time before slaughter for
the animals to recover from physical stresses. These
conditions were causes of pneumonia and emphysema as
observed at a higher magnitude in this study. This indicates
also violation of animal welfare stretching from farm to
slaughter. Pneumonia might be also as a result of endemic
diseases of sheep and goats such as pasteurellosis, which is
triggered by stress, contagious caprinepleuro pneumonia
(Radiostitis et al., 2007).
Furthermore, different lesions of infectious and non-
infectious causes like abscess, pericarditis, nephritis, and
jaundice were found to be important causes for the
condemnation of edible organs like liver, heart, and kidney.
Similarly the same causes were found at central Ethiopia
(Getachew, 2008; Regassa et al., 2013) and in goats
slaughtered at Nigeria (Ojo, 1992). Bruising was observed as
major cause of carcass condemnation which is 36%. Bruising
occurs due to beating of animals during transportation and
the use of rough vehicles. Apart from affecting carcass value,
bruising has also animal welfare implications as excessive
use of sticks while driving to the abattoir, mishandling of
animals during loading and unloading, improper transport
vehicle and at slaughter could be responsible causes (Edward
et al., 1997). It is stated that bruising of animals during
transport is the major source of economic loss in Africa and
Asia (Mitchell and slough, 1980). Though the abattoir does
not export partially approved organ and carcass, loss due to
bruising is more apparent in partially and totally condemned
carcasses (Gracey et al., 1999).
The direct financial loss in this abattoir was relatively
higher because of its export standard. However, this study
analyzed those losses only through condemnation of edible
organs and carcasses from international market during the
study period. A total annual financial loss of 79894.58 USD
was observed due to export organs and carcasses
condemnation from the 768 inspected sheep and goats. Still,
some of the rejected carcasses which were unfit for
international market were sold with relatively lower price
(half price) to the domestic market as a fit product for
consumption since no risk of public health was recorded in
them. Similarly, approved lungs were sold at local market. In
general, as the main objective of the abattoir is to export meat
and only a few items with minor defects and poor nutrition
status (in case of carcass) were sold in the domestic market
and the proportion of the exported items were much higher
than that used for domestic consumption.
5. Conclusion and Recommendations
Our study revealed that from the total organs and carcasses
condemned: 42.3%, 37%, 5.20%, 9.90% and 5.5% were liver,
lung, heart, kidney and carcass respectively. It was as to
parasitic diseases, other pathological conditions, mechanical

International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences 2015; 4(3): 364-372 370
damage during evisceration and bruising. There was high
financial loss burden because of organ and carcass
condemnation at ELFORA abattoir, which may also reflect
the same scenario in other slaughterhouses in Ethiopia.
Based on these conclusions, the following
recommendations are worth mentioning:
 Standard regulations and functional meat inspection
policies should be formulated for organs and carcass
approval/ rejection for abattoirs in order to have positive
relation with importing countries so that profitable and
sustainable international meat trade to be continued
 Immediate, safe and controlled elimination of all
condemned abattoir materials and the sale of
contaminated offal and heads as dog’s feed should be
prohibited by law
 Regular deworming of small ruminants and dogs and
elimination of stray dogs should be practiced
 Training of abattoir workers on procedures and cares
during flaying and evisceration should be done
 awareness should be created in producers, local and
medium traders, of the animal attendants, farmers,
customers and abattoir workers pertaining to and proper
disposal of condemned offals’ and carcasses.
 Further studies should be carried out in small ruminants
that are going to be slaughtered in different abattoirs of
the country and introduce preventive measures to reduce
unnecessary financial losses encountered in the industry.
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