Animal Ethics Committee Approval

The first phase of DTS research in Australia was conducted under the approval of the Victorian Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DJEDJTR) — Wildlife and Small Institutions Animal Ethics Committee (WSI AEC), reference 30.16.

The second phase (pre-commercial scale validation) and third phase (rotary box evaluation) were approved in Australia by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) — Wildlife and Large Animal Ethics Committee (CWLA AEC), reference 2019-17.

The Role of Reversible Rapid Insensibility in Animal Welfare

The DTS (Diathermic Syncope®) system is a purpose-built, humane technology that fully meets animal welfare guidelines and is designed to be compatible with both religious and conventional slaughter requirements.

• Rapid Effect: Animals become insensible within 3 seconds, with the effect lasting 3–4 minutes.

• Scientifically Proven: EEG studies confirm DTS induces a high-amplitude, low-frequency epileptiform state — a brain activity pattern incompatible with pain perception.

• Observed Welfare Outcomes: No vocalisation, pain, or distress; insensibility verified by corneal and palpebral reflex testing; effect maintained throughout bleeding.

Scientific Comparisons

• Traditional head-only stunning produces only brief epileptic activity, followed by strong convulsions.

• Electrical stunning requires up to 20 seconds to apply, producing unconsciousness lasting 31–90 seconds.

• DTS induces loss of posture within 8 seconds of energy application and maintains unconsciousness for up to 240 seconds — confirmed by EEG changes and reflex absence.

EEG Findings

All DTS trials showed significant deviations from baseline EEG, with high-amplitude spiking in total power (Ptot), confirming a state incompatible with sensibility. During this period, the animal cannot feel pain.

Key Welfare Advantages of DTS

• Temporary and fully reversible.

• Consciousness can be restored if slaughter is not performed.

• Meets both religious and animal welfare requirements.

• Scientifically proven to be a more humane slaughter method.

Research Summary

The DTS: Diathermic Syncope® controlled trial report was finalized in April 2021, culminating over 20 years of iterative research, from foundational cadaver studies to large-scale trials. This work was led by Dr Alison Small, Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO McMaster Laboratory (Armidale, NSW). Dr Small is a highly regarded livestock welfare researcher with expertise in humane slaughter, pain mitigation, and neonatal survival. She earned her veterinary degree from the Royal Dick School in Edinburgh (1993), followed by a PhD from the University of Bristol, a Graduate Certificate in Food Safety Risk Assessment from the University of Maryland, and was a founding member of the European College of Veterinary Public Health. Diathermic Syncope+1

The comprehensive April 2021 report—published by Meat & Livestock Australia and supported by the Australian Meat Processor Corporation—details the scientific validation of DTS as a stunning technology. Diathermic Syncope

Animal Ethics Committee Approvals

• Phase 1: Approved by the Victorian DJEDJTR Wildlife and Small Institutions Animal Ethics Committee, Ref. 30.16.

• Phases 2 & 3: Approved by the CSIRO Wildlife and Large Animal Ethics Committee, Ref. 2019-17. Diathermic Syncope

Research Progression

Over two decades, DTS research evolved from early concept studies to successful proof-of-concept trials demonstrating that unconsciousness could be reliably induced with minimal meat quality compromise. Subsequent refinements improved energy delivery for consistent and rapid induction. Notably, animals were shown to fully recover post-insensibility, with minimal brain tissue impact—critical for religious slaughter acceptability. MLA Corporate+1Diathermic SyncopeScienceDirect