Development of Physical Techniques for Non-Invasive Stunning of Cattle, Phase 1 - Feasibility Study

Brain particles as emboli can enter the blood of cattle and sheep carcasses when captive bolt guns are used for stunning.
<p>As a consequence these techniques could be prohibited due to concerns about contamination of the carcass with the BSE prion unless changes are made to prevent neural embolisation during stunning.
<p>This is probably impossible with penetrating bolts, but may be achievable using non-penetrating stunning guns or by concussion induced by a very rapid (shock) rotational movement of the complete head around the neck axis.
<p>The aim of this project is to determine the feasibility of applying computational analysis techniques to achieve understanding and optimisation of cattle stunning through impact and inertial reaction approaches.

<p> Find more about this project and other FSA food safety-related projects at the <a href="http://www.food.gov.uk/science/research/&quot; target="_blank">Food Standards Agency Research webpage</a>.