Helle Daugaard Larsen

Title: Helle Daugaard Larsen: Innovator in Animal Stunning Technology

Introduction

Helle Daugaard Larsen is a notable inventor based in Taastrup, Denmark. She has made significant contributions to the field of animal welfare through her innovative patent related to the stunning of animals prior to slaughter. Her work aims to minimize the aversive reactions that animals may experience during the stunning process.

Latest Patents

Helle Daugaard Larsen holds a patent for a method of pre-stunning or stunning animals using a combination of gases, including oxygen (O2), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitric oxide (NO). This method addresses the aversive reactions that animals may exhibit when exposed to high concentrations of CO. By utilizing a pre-stunning technique, animals can be rendered unconscious before the final stunning and slaughter, thereby improving their welfare. The patent outlines that pre-stunning can be performed with gas combinations that include air and/or O2 with CO at concentrations below 40%, or with N2O, or NO and CO. For larger animals, such as pigs, the pre-stunning process is designed to take less than 60 seconds.

Career Highlights

Helle Daugaard Larsen is associated with Teknologisk Institut, where she continues to develop and refine her innovative techniques. Her work is pivotal in advancing humane practices in the livestock industry. The focus on animal welfare in her inventions reflects a growing awareness and responsibility towards ethical treatment in agricultural practices.

Collaborations

Helle collaborates with esteemed colleagues, including Leif Lykke and Margit Dall Aaslyng. Their combined expertise contributes to the development of effective and humane animal handling methods.

Conclusion

Helle Daugaard Larsen's contributions to the field of animal stunning technology represent a significant advancement in ensuring humane treatment of animals in the agricultural sector. Her innovative patent not only addresses animal welfare concerns but also sets a precedent for future developments in this important area.