Animal Ethics Committee Approval

All animal trials have been conducted under the approval of animal ethics committees, in accordance with the Australian care and use of animals for scientific purposes. The Code

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 3 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 evidence of a grand mal epileptiform state, 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 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