# Causes of Condemnations of Edible Parts of Slaughtered Pigs in Bavaria and Their Economic Implications: A Retrospective Survey (2021–2022)

## TL;DR

This study analyzed why pigs' carcasses and organs were condemned in Bavaria and how much money was lost due to these condemnations.

## Contribution

The study provides a detailed analysis of the causes and economic impact of pig carcass and organ condemnations in Bavaria.

## Key findings

- 2.09% of pig carcasses had pathological conditions, with 91.88% partially condemned.
- 17.59% of organs showed abnormalities, with the liver being most affected.
- The total financial loss from condemnations was EUR 392,744.2, or 0.40% of potential revenue.

## Abstract

The postmortem inspection of slaughtered animals is viewed as one of the most important tools for monitoring and ensuring that meat is free from communicable diseases. The present study investigated the main causes of carcass and organ condemnations and the resulting economic implications within a population of 307,866 slaughtered pigs. The recorded results showed that 2.09% (n = 6422) of the examined carcasses expressed pathological conditions, and out of them, 8.12% (n = 522) and 91.88% were totally and partially confiscated, respectively. In the case of the organs, 17.59% (n = 54,145) presented abnormalities, with distributions of 14.71% (n = 45,290), 1.94% (n = 5968), 0.72% (n = 2213), and 0.22% (n = 674) within the examined liver, lung, kidney, and heart specimens, respectively. The recorded total financial losses attributable to carcass and organ condemnations were EUR 197,120 and EUR 195,624.2, respectively, representing 0.40% of the total achievable net revenue without rejections. This study offers useful information for veterinarians, public health authorities, and pig meat producers.

This study aimed to provide insights into the main causes of postmortem carcass and organ condemnations in a pig slaughterhouse and evaluate the resulting financial impact of the rejection of edible parts of animals. A population of 307,866 pigs, admitted for slaughter between January 2021 and December 2022 in a Bavarian abattoir, was studied. Regarding the examined carcasses, 2.09% (n = 6422) presented pathological conditions. Of these, 8.12% (n = 522) and 91.88% (n = 5900) were totally and partially confiscated, respectively. The main reason for the complete rejection of carcasses was the occurrence of generalized diseases (62.6%), while the presence of abscesses and traumatic and/or tail lesions was the most frequently implicated (70.7%) in partial condemnations. In the case of the organs, 17.59% (n = 54,145) presented abnormalities, with distributions of 14.71% (n = 45,290), 1.94% (n = 5968), 0.72% (n = 2213), and 0.22% (n = 674) within the examined liver, lung, kidney, and heart specimens, respectively. The principal reasons for liver, lung, kidney, and heart condemnations were the occurrence of parasitic diseases (53.4%), bacterial/viral infections (63.5%), dystrophies/anomalies (98.4%), and bacterial/viral infections (98.5%), respectively. The total financial loss attributable to carcass and organ condemnations was estimated at EUR 392,744.2, which represents 0.40% of the total achievable net revenue without rejections. Of this, EUR 197,120 (0.20%) and EUR 195,624.2 (6.95%) were related to carcass and offal seizures, respectively. The study results offer useful information for veterinarians, stockowners, and epidemiologists to make and set up policies to increase the efficiency and benefits of the swine production system and protect public health.