Award for Bristol University’s stunning team

The Stunning and Slaughter Group at Bristol University’s School of Veterinary Sciences has won the Humane Slaughter Association’s 2012 award for significant advances in humane slaughter.

For more than 15 years the group, led primarily by Dr Mohan Raj, has investigated the design and operation of the poultry waterbath stunner and initially developed the use of controlled atmosphere systems. These offer a welfare-friendly alternative to electrical stunning, as the birds do not need to be handled or shackled.

In addition to its research, the group has played a major role in training and promoting good practice for welfare through its MSc in Meat Science and Technology, and the Animal Welfare Officer training courses at Bristol.