Depopulation and Disposal Year 2 Pop Block 3

depopulation definition

rapid and efficient destruction of complete population of animals in response to urgent circumstances with as much consideration given to welfare of animals as practical

conditions requiring depopulation

• regulatory disease

• nonregulatory highly pathogenic diseases

• emerging animal production diseases

• zoonotic diseases

• intoxications and adulterations

• radiologic exposures

• natural disasters

• market disruption

Who has authority for a depopulation?

• state animal health official or his desifnee has statutory authority

  • to prevent spread of dangerously contagious or infectious disease

  • to provide for control and eradication of such disease

  • to cooperate with USDA in such work

Tier 1 depopulation methods

• highest priority

• preferred for emergency response plans whenever feasible

• supported by multiple sources of evidence

• rapid loss of consciousness and optimizes animal welfare

• applied when circumstances allow reasonable implementation

Tier 2 depopulation methods

• secondary option

• used only when Tier 1 methods are unavailable or unfeasible

• supported by moderate to limited evidence regarding rapid loss of consciousness

• implemented when constrained by factors

Tier 3 depopulation methods

• last resort

• used only when Tier 1 an 2 methods are precluded and doing nothing causes greater suffering

• limited to no supporting evidence

• evidence may run contrary to good animal welfare

• applied in extreme conditions such as loss of safe animal access or severe threats to human life

What is the national veterinary stockpile?

national repository of critical veterinary supplies, equipment, animal vaccines, and response support services for animal disease emergencies

assessment of depopulation methods

• ability to induce loss of consciousness followed by death with minimum of pain or distress

• time required to induce loss of consciousness and behavior of animal during that time

• reliability and irreversibility of methods resulting in death of animal

• safety of personnel

• compatibility with safety of other humans, animals, and environment

• potential psychological or emotional impacts on personnel

• ability to maintain equipment in proper working order

• legal and religious requirements

• sensitivity to public sentiment regarding destruction of large numbers of animals

• availability of agents and carcass processing and disposal venues to handle volume

ventilation shutdown plus core mechanisms

• total shutdown and sealing of fans, air inlets, and structural gaps

• external heaters driving up ambient temperatures rapidly

• addition of carbon dioxide to induce rapid unconsciousness via hypoxia

• used with confined animals

• commonly used in layer houses

water-based foam

• previously listed as preferred for floor-reared, confined poultry

• obstruct airway and cause hypoxia

• class A foam used

• potential application to other species

  • tier 1 = pigs

  • tier 2 = cattle and small ruminant

tier 1 bovine depopulation methods

• commercial pr private humane slaughter processing

• barbiturates and barbiturate derivatives

• gunshot - close range

• penetrating and nonpenetrating captive bolt

tier 2 bovine depopulation methods

• gunshot - long range

• PCB - poll shot

• electrocution

• water-based foam

tier 3 bovine depopulation methods

• oral agents

tier 1 swine depopulation methods

• commercial or private humane slaughter processing

• barbiturates and barbiturate derivatives

• gunshot - close range

• penetrating and nonpenetrating captive bolt

• carbon dioxide

• carbon monoxide

• nitrogen

• elelctrocution

• water-based foam

• nitrogen-filled foam

• manual blunt force trauma

tier 2 swine depopulation methods

none

tier 3 swine depopulation methods

• sodium nitrite

• ventilation shutdown plus heat and humidity

• ventilation shutdown alone

tier 1 small ruminant depopulation methods

• commercial or private humane slaughter processing

• barbiturates and barbiturate derivatives

• penetrating and nonpenetrating captive bolt

• gunshot - close range

tier 2 small ruminant depopulation methods

• carbon dioxide

• water-based foams

• gunshot - long range

tier 3 small ruminant depopulation methods

none

What should you consider when deciding on depopulation method?

• size and number of animals to be destroyed

• environment in which animals are maintained

• risk to human health or safety of method used

• whether method requires specialized equipment or training

• risk that method poses of spreading disease

• any hazard method could pose to environment

• degree of pig control and restraint required

• speed with which destruction must be conducted

• consistency of method with humane euthanasia guidelines

personnel training

• animal handling

• approved euthanasia method to be used

• safety issues

• PPE

• biosecurity

• cleaning and disinfection procedures

safety to consider

• size/weight

• temperament

  • dangerous animals

  • animal familiarity with humans

• restraint methods available

• depopulation method

Animal depopulation resiliency questions

• Please share if there is anything you cannot shake right now? What is it? What do you remember about it?

• Can you think of what you have done right in that situation-even the smallest thing counts (or any recent situation if there was no response to question 1)?

• Is there anything you wish you had done differently?

• Is there anything you have learned or need to adjust for tomorrow or next time?

• Is there anything you feel grateful for or made you laugh in this situation (or in your recent past)?

psychological impact of depopulation

• compassion fatigue

• post-traumatic stress disorder

• recognition in self and others

  • physical = nausea, dizziness, headaches, changes in sleep patterns

  • cognitive = disorientation, memory

  • emotional = anxiety, guilt, grief, irritability

  • behavioral = anger, withdrawal, depression, drug or alcohol abuse

• psychological first aid

• counselors and mental health experts should be available

psychological considerations for owners and stakeholders

• owners should not be present

• if present, brief owners on

  • chosen method

  • safety

  • counseling services

• public informations office in charge of communications

What items may require disposal following infection or exposure?

• animals

• germplasm

• contaminated bedding

• manure v debris/compost

• contaminated feed

• PPE of workers and responders

• lagoon maintenance

Disposal considerations

• usable product

• disease agent

• environmental (water, air)

• cost

• logistics

• tonnage

• personnel requirements

Burial options

• on site

• landfill

burial considerations

• soil properties

• slope or topography

• hydrological properties

• proximity to bodies of water, wells, public areas, roadways, dwellings, residences, municipalities, and property lines

• accessibility

• subsequent intended use of site

thermal methods

• open-air burning

  • burning on open land

  • in dug-out pit

  • pyres

  • not ideal because pollution

  • temperatures achieved can vary, uncertainty exists as to whether pathogens have been inactivated

• fixed-facility incineration

  • small on-farm incinerators

  • small and large incineration facilities

  • crematoria

  • fueled by diesel, natural gas, or propane

  • are being closed down on account of increasing regulatory-compliance and inspection costs

• air-curtain incineration

  • large-capacity fans driven by diesel engines

  • deliver high-velocity air down into metal refractory box of burn pit

  • creates a turbulent environment in which incineration is greatly accelerated

  • requires large quantity of dry fuel to initiate burning

  • faster than open-air burning

alkaline hydrolysis

• uses sodium or potassium hydroxide to catalyze the hydrolysis of biological material into sterile aqueous solution

• heat and pressure applied to significantly accelerate process

• only solid byproducts of alkaline hydrolysis are mineral constituents of bones and teeth

  • undigested residue is sterile and easily crushed into powder

Rules for composting dead animals in Ohio

• participate in educational course concerning composting and obtain certificate of completion for course

• use appropriate method, technique, or practice of composting established in rules

phases of composting

• temperature of compost pile increases and organic materials break down into relatively small compounds, soft tissue decomposes, and bones soften

• remaining materials break down fully and compost turns to a consistent dark brown to black soil or humus

composting definition

natural biological decomposition process that takes place in presence of oxygen

rendering

recycling of raw animal tissue from food animals, and waste cooking fats and oils into variety of value-added products

USDA APHIS carcass management dashboard

• step 1 = options, time, and cost calculator

  • enter animal type, number, and average weight, reason for death

  • output = time cost analyses for disposal options for carcass types

• step 2 = draft carcass management plan

  • checklist = guided decision process to identify feasible carcass management option