SWINE WELFARE IN PRE-SLAUGHTER MANAGEMENT AND ITS IMPACT ON CARCASS QUALITY: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Pig welfare is intrinsically linked to the natural behavior of the species. Brazil ranks as the fourth largest pork producer worldwide and, due to the increasing demand for pork, specific legislation has been established globally to define guidelines encompassing all stages from pre-slaughter to humane slaughter. Accordingly, this literature review emphasizes the main welfare regulations applied to pigs during pre-slaughter management, as well as the influence of stress factors such as fasting, loading, and transportation on carcass quality, in addition to the necessary resting period to ensure humane slaughter. Thus, the relevance of welfare practices in pre-slaughter management is reflected in physiological changes in the animal, which directly impact carcass characteristics.