The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995

The occupier of a slaughterhouse in which animals are slaughtered by a religious method and any person engaged in the slaughter by a religious method of any animal shall ensure that where the animal has not been stunned, or stunned and pithed, before bleeding it is not moved until it is unconscious and in any event not before the expiry of—

• (a) in the case of any sheep or any goat, a period of not less than 20 seconds; and

• (b) in the case of any bovine animal, a period of not less than 30 seconds,

after it has been slaughtered in the manner described in paragraph 6 above.

Slaughter by a religious method elsewhere than in a slaughterhouse

8

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART III — PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SLAUGHTER OF BIRDS BY A RELIGIOUS METHOD

Slaughter of birds by a religious method

9

Any person who slaughters by a religious method any bird which has not been stunned before slaughter shall ensure that—

• (a) each bird is slaughtered by the severance, by rapid and uninterrupted movements of a knife, of its carotid arteries; and

• (b) the knife to be used for the slaughtering of the birds is undamaged and of sufficient size and sharpness to enable each bird to be slaughtered in the manner described in sub-paragraph (a) above.

Handling birds after slaughter by a religious method

10

The occupier of a slaughterhouse in which birds are slaughtered by a religious method and any person engaged in the slaughter of any bird by a religious method shall ensure that, where the bird has not been stunned before bleeding, no further dressing procedure or any electrical stimulation is performed on the bird before it is unconscious and in any event not before the expiry of—

• (a) in the case of a turkey or goose, a period of not less than 2 minutes; and

• (b) in the case of any other bird, a period of not less than 90 seconds, after it has been slaughtered in the manner described in paragraph 9 above.

PART IV — THE RABBINICAL COMMISSION FOR THE LICENSING OF SHOCHETIM

Membership

11

The Rabbinical Commission for the licensing of Shochetim (in this Part referred to as “the Commission”) shall consist of a permanent chairman and nine other members.

12

The Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of Great Britain and the Commonwealth shall, by virtue of his office, be the permanent chairman of the Commission.

13

Of the members of the Commission other than the permanent chairman—

• (a) one, who shall be a vice-chairman, shall be appointed by the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue (London);

• (b) three shall be appointed by the Beth Din appointed by the United Synagogue (London);

• (c) two shall be appointed by the Federation of Synagogues (London);

• (d) one shall be appointed by the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations (London); and

• (e) two shall be appointed by the president for the time being of the London committee of deputies of British Jews to represent provincial congregations.

Supplementary provisions

14

The functions of the Commission shall be exercisable notwithstanding any vacancy amongst the members thereof.

15

The quorum of the Commission shall be four.

SCHEDULE 13 — REPEALS

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3
Chapter	Title	Extent of repeal
1967 c. 24	Slaughter of Poultry Act 1967	Sections 1 and 2.
1974 c. 3	Slaughterhouses Act 1974	Section 36. Section 37. Section 38(4). Section 39. Section 40. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 43. Schedules 1 and 2.
1980 c. 13	Slaughter of Animals (Scotland) Act 1980	In section 7(3), the words “under sections 9 and 20 of this Act”. Section 10. Section 11. Section 12. In section 14(1), the words from “the provisions” to “or of” and the words from “, or by” to “10(1) of,”. Section 15. Section 16. In section 17, the words from “in” to “Act”. Section 18. In section 20, the words “, 10 or 16”. In section 21, the words “, 15 or”.
1984 c. 40	Animal Health and Welfare Act 1984	Section 5. Section 17(4). In Schedule 1, in paragraph 1, sub-paragraphs (2), (3) and (4). In Schedule 1, paragraph 2.
1991 c. 30	Welfare of Animals at Slaughter Act 1991	Section 2. Section 3.
1994 c. 40	Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994	In Schedule 9, in paragraph 2(1), paragraphs (a), (c) and (d), and in paragraph 3(1), paragraphs (b), (d) and (e).

SCHEDULE 14 — AMENDMENTS OF ENACTMENTS AND REGULATIONS

Firearms Act 1968 (c. 27)

1

In section 10(1) of the Firearms Act 1968 (slaughter of animals), for the words “section 39 of the Slaughterhouses Act 1974 or section 15 of the Slaughter of Animals (Scotland) Act 1980” there shall be substituted “the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 to slaughter horses, cattle, sheep, swine or goats”.

Slaughterhouses Act 1974 (c. 3)

2

• (1) In subsections (2)(c) and (3) of section 2 of the Slaughterhouses Act 1974 (slaughterhouse licences and applications for such licences), the words “under section 38 below” shall cease to have effect.

• (2) In section 4(3) of that Act (knacker’s yard licences and applications for such licences), the words “under section 38 below” shall cease to have effect.

• (3) In section 16(1)(c) of that Act (management of public slaughterhouses), for the words “Part II of this Act, animals to which section 36 below applies” there shall be substituted “the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995, horses (including hinnies, asses and mules), cattle, sheep, swine or goats”.

• (4) In section 38(1) of that Act (regulations for securing humane conditions of slaughter in slaughterhouses and knackers' yards), for the words “animals to which section 36 above applies” (in both places where they appear) there shall be substituted “horses, cattle, sheep, swine or goats”.

Slaughter of Animals (Scotland) Act 1980 (c. 13)

3

• (1) The Slaughter of Animals (Scotland) Act 1980 shall be amended as follows.

• (2) In section 9 (securing humane conditions in slaughterhouses and knackers' yards)—

• (a) in subsection (3), for the words from “those” to “Act” substitute “a fine of level 3 on the standard scale or imprisonment for a term of six months or both”; and

• (b) after subsection (3) add—

(4) Where a person convicted of an offence against regulations made under this section is— (a) registered in respect of premises under section 4; or (b) the holder of a licence granted under section 6, of this Act, the court may, where such registration or licence relates to premises where the offence was committed, in addition to any other penalty cancel the registration or the licence as the case may be.

• (3) In section 19(1) (enforcement), for the words from “(i) sections” to “section 10” substitute “sections 7 and 14, and any regulations made under section 9”.

• (4) In section 19A (code of practice)—

• (a) in subsection (1)—

• (i) in paragraph (a)(i), for the words “10 and 12 to 16” substitute “13 and 14”; and

• (ii) in paragraph (a)(ii), for the words “any of those sections” substitute “section 9 of this Act”; and

• (b) in subsection (7)—

• (i) in paragraph (a), for the words “10 and 12 to 16” substitute “13 and 14”; and

• (ii) in paragraph (b), for the words “any of those sections” substitute “section 9 of this Act”.

• (5) In section 20 (regulations), for “Any” substitute “The”.

Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/539)

6

• (1) In regulation 2 of the Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 the definition of “the Humane Conditions Regulations” shall cease to have effect.

• (2) In regulation 7(2)(b) of the said regulations, for the words “regulation 21 or, in Scotland, 11 of the Humane Conditions Regulations (animals in pain etc.)” there shall be substituted “paragraph 2(e), 4 or 5 of Schedule 3 to the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995”.

• (3) In regulation 12(4) and in paragraph 2 of Schedule 8 of the said Regulations, for the words “regulation 21 or, in Scotland, 11 of the Humane Conditions Regulations” there shall be substituted “paragraph 2(e), 4 or 5 of Schedule 3 to the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995”.

SCHEDULE 15 — REVOCATIONS

Column 1	Column 2
Regulations revoked	References
The Slaughter of Pigs (Anaesthesia) Regulations 1958	S.I. 1958/1971
The Slaughter of Pigs (Anaesthesia) (Amendment) Regulations 1984	S.I. 1984/1310
The Slaughter of Poultry (Humane Conditions) Regulations 1984	S.I. 1984/2056
The Slaughter of Animals (Humane Conditions) (Scotland) Regulations 1990	S.I. 1990/1240
The Slaughter of Animals (Humane Conditions) Regulations 1990	S.I. 1990/1242
The Slaughter of Poultry (Humane Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 1990	S.I. 1990/1243
The Slaughter of Poultry (Licences and Specified Qualifications) Regulations 1991	S.I. 1991/1676

Signed

Angela Browning — Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food — 1995-03-14

Hector Monro — Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Scottish Office — 1995-03-14

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations, which extend to Great Britain, give effect to the provisions of Council Directive 93/119/EC on the protection of animals at time of slaughter or killing (OJ No. L 340, 31.12.93, p. 21). They revoke and replace the regulations specified in Schedule 15.

The Regulations apply to the movement, lairaging, restraint, stunning, slaughter and killing of animals bred and kept for the production of meat, skin, fur or other products, to the killing of animals for the purpose of disease control and to the killing of surplus chicks and embryos in hatchery waste (regulation 3(1)), subject to exceptions for acts done lawfully under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (regulation 3(2)), sporting events (regulation 3(3)) and wild game (regulation 3(4)). The Regulations—

• (a) provide for the licensing of slaughtermen by Ministers (regulation 4(1) and Schedule 1);

• (b) prevent persons from engaging in the lairaging, restraint, stunning, slaughter or killing of animals without the necessary knowledge and skill (regulation 4(2));

• (c) prohibit persons engaged in the lairaging, restraint, stunning, slaughter or killing of animals from causing any avoidable excitement, pain or suffering to any animal (regulation 4(3));

• (d) require occupiers of slaughterhouses or knackers' yards to ensure (i) that there is a person available who has authority to take whatever action may be necessary to safeguard the welfare of any live animals on the premises (regulation 5), and (ii) that any person who is engaged in activities governed by these Regulations is acquainted with the legislation and welfare codes which are relevant to those activities and, where necessary, is licensed (regulation 6);

• (e) provide powers for Ministers to make statutory codes of practice (regulation 7);

• (f) specify the construction, equipment and maintenance requirements for slaughterhouses and knackers' yards (regulation 8 and Schedule 2);

• (g) regulate the movement and lairaging of solipeds, ruminants, pigs, rabbits and poultry (regulations 9(a) and 10(a) and Schedule 3);

• (h) regulate the restraint of solipeds, runminants, pigs, rabbits and poultry in slaughterhouses and knackers' yards (regulations 9(b) and 10(b) and Schedule 4) and elsewhere (regulation 15(a) and Schedule 4);

• (i) regulate the stunning and killing of solipeds, ruminants, pigs, rabbits and poultry in slaughterhouses and knackers' yards (regulations 9(c) and 10(c) and Schedule 4) and elsewhere (regulations 14 and 15(b) and Schedule 4);

• (j) regulate the bleeding and pithing of solipeds, ruminants, pigs, rabbits and poultry in slaughterhouses and knackers' yards (regulation 10(d) and Schedule 6) and elsewhere (regulation 15(c) and Schedule 6);

• (k) regulate the killing of pigs or birds by exposure to gas mixtures (regulation 11 and Schedule 7);

• (l) specify additional conditions for the slaughter or killing of horses (regulation 12 and Schedule 8);

• (m) provide for slaughter or killing for private consumption (regulation 16);

• (n) regulate the slaughter or killing of animals for the purpose of disease control (regulation 17 and Schedule 9);

• (o) regulate the killing of fox and mink which are farmed for their fur (regulation 18 and Schedule 10);

• (p) regulate the killing of surplus chicks and embryos in hatchery waste (regulation 19 and Schedule 11);

• (q) require occupiers of premises where birds are kept for slaughter at the place of purchase to ensure that the birds' accommodation gives them enough room and that the birds are fed and watered (regulation 20);

• (r) regulate slaughter by a religious method (regulations 21 and 22 and Schedule 12);

• (s) specify the powers of authorised persons (regulation 23), create offences and prescribe penalties (regulations 24 to 26) and provide a defence for emergency acts (regulation 27);

• (t) make repeals, revocations and amendments (regulation 28 and Schedules 13 to 15).

A Compliance Cost Assessment in relation to these Regulations has been placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament and copies can be obtained from the Meat Hygiene Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Government Buildings, Hook Rise South, Tolworth, Surbiton, Surrey, KT6 7NF.

Footnotes

Specific requirements for stunning by concussion

Specific requirements for stunning by electronarcosis — waterbath stunners

Supplementary provisions

Editorial notes

Prohibition against slaughter by a religious method elsewhere than in a slaughterhouse

Immobilisation after stunning

3A

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Humane treatment of animals

Safeguarding the welfare of animals

Animal welfare legislation and codes

Codes of practice

Specific requirements for killing for the purpose of disease control by ventilation shutdown

6

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The killing of birds by exposure to gas mixtures elsewhere than in a slaughterhouse

14A

Schedule 7A shall have effect in relation to the killing of birds by exposure to gas mixtures elsewhere than in a slaughterhouse.

The killing of animals elsewhere than in a slaughterhouse or knacker’s yard

The slaughter or killing of animals elsewhere than in a slaughterhouse or knacker’s yard for private consumption

The slaughter or killing of animals for the purpose of disease control

The killing of fox and mink which are farmed for their fur

The killing of surplus chicks and embryos in hatchery waste

Birds awaiting slaughter at place of purchase

SCHEDULE 7A — KILLING OF BIRDS BY EXPOSURE TO GAS MIXTURES ELSEWHERE THAN IN A SLAUGHTERHOUSE

PART I — Interpretation

1

In this Schedule–

• “bird” means any domestic fowl, turkey, pheasant, quail, partridge, goose, duck or guinea fowl;

• “bird shed” means a building designed and constructed to house birds that has been sealed so as to be capable of containing the gas mixture specified in combination 1 in the table in Part V;

• “breeder hen” means a domestic fowl which has reached laying maturity and is kept for production of eggs intended for hatching;

• “chamber” means a bird shed or gas container in which birds are killed by exposure to a gas mixture;

• “end of lay hen” means a laying hen no longer required for the production of eggs;

• “end of life breeder hen” means a breeder hen no longer required for the production of hatching eggs;

• “gas container” means a receptacle capable of containing the gas mixtures specified in combinations 2 or 3 in the table in Part V which meets the requirements specified in paragraph 5;

• “gas mixture” means any of the mixtures of gases specified in the second column of the table in Part V; and

• “laying hen” means a domestic fowl which has reached laying maturity and is kept for production of eggs not intended for hatching.

PART II — End of lay hens and end of life breeder hens

2

• (1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3), end of lay hens and end of life breeder hens may be killed on premises where they have been kept as laying or breeder hens by exposure to gas mixtures in accordance with Part V of this Schedule.

• (2) The owner of the end of lay hens or the end of life breeder hens must give the Scottish Ministers a minimum of five working days' notice specifying–

• (a) the owner’s name and address;

• (b) the address of the premises at which the killings will take place;

• (c) the date on which the killings will take place;

• (d) which of the combinations of gas mixture and chamber listed in the table in Part V of this Schedule is intended to be used for the killings; and

• (e) the number and age of hens being killed and whether kept as laying or breeder hens.

• (3) Part IV of this Schedule applies to the killing of end of lay hens and end of life breeder hens permitted by this paragraph.

PART III — Killing where there is a restriction on movement

3

• (1) The Scottish Ministers may permit the killing of birds elsewhere than in a slaughterhouse by exposure to gas mixtures in accordance with Part V of this Schedule if–

• (a) an event occurs in Great Britain that makes the movement of birds from the premises where they have been kept to a slaughterhouse impossible or impracticable; and

• (b) it is foreseeable that the welfare of the birds will be compromised as a result of the restrictions on their movement.

• (2) A permit issued under this paragraph–

• (a) must be in writing;

• (b) may be general or specific;

• (c) may include such conditions as are specified in the permit; and

• (d) may at any time be amended, suspended or revoked by notice in writing.

• (3) A general permit and any amendment, suspension or revocation of it shall be published in such manner as the Scottish Ministers see fit.

• (4) A specific permit and any amendment, suspension or revocation of it shall be served on the individual to whom the permit was granted.

• (5) Where the Scottish Ministers have granted a permit under this paragraph–

• (a) the occupier of the premises where the birds are kept must take all reasonable measures to avoid welfare problems in birds affected by restrictions on their movement; and

• (b) the killing of the birds by exposure to gas mixtures in accordance with this Schedule may only take place where, following an inspection by a veterinary surgeon, the veterinary surgeon has confirmed that the welfare of the birds affected by restrictions on their movement will be gravely compromised within 7 days from the date of the inspection.

• (4) Part IV of this Schedule applies to the killing of birds permitted by this paragraph.

PART IV — The chamber

Chamber operator

4

No person may operate a chamber consisting of a bird shed except under the direct supervision of a veterinary surgeon.

Construction of the chamber

5

The operator of a chamber used to kill birds must ensure that the chamber is–

• (a) designed, adapted, constructed, and maintained so as to avoid injury to any bird;

• (b) fitted with an apparatus that can deliver the relevant gas mixture to the chamber in accordance with the combinations listed in the table in Part V of this Schedule;

• (c) fitted with devices which–

• (i) measure and display the maximum concentration by volume of oxygen in the gas mixture specified in combination 3 in that table or the minimum concentration by volume of carbon dioxide, in the gas mixture specified in combination 1 and 2 of that table, as a percentage at the point of minimum concentration in the chamber;

• (ii) where combination 3 in that table is used, give clearly visible or audible warning signals where the final concentration by volume of oxygen rises above 5% for more than 30 seconds; and

• (iii) where combination 1 or 2 in that table is used, give clearly visible or audible warning signals where the final concentration by volume of carbon dioxide falls below 45% for more than 30 seconds; and

• (d) fitted with a means of visually monitoring birds in the chamber.

Operation of the chamber

6

The operator of the chamber must ensure that–

• (a) every person engaged in the killing is instructed as to the method of operation of the chamber;

• (b) birds are–

• (i) rapidly rendered insensible to pain or distress; and

• (ii) exposed to the gas mixtures mentioned in the second column of the table in Part V long enough to ensure they are killed and in any event for a period of–

• (aa) where combination 1 in that table is used, not less than 5 minutes;

• (bb) where combination 2 in that table is used, not less than 2 minutes;

• (cc) where combination 3 in that table is used, not less than 90 seconds;

• (c) where the visible or audible warning signals provided for in paragraph 5(c)(ii) or 5(c)(iii) are activated, more of the gas mixture is immediately supplied to the chamber until the required concentrations are achieved; and

• (d) after exposure to a gas mixture nothing more is done to any bird until it is ascertained that it is dead.

PART V — Combinations of gas mixtures and chamber

7

Birds may only be killed by exposure to gas mixtures elsewhere than in a slaughterhouse in accordance with the combinations of gas mixtures and chamber specified in the table below.

	Gas mixture	Chamber
Combination 1	Carbon dioxide in a concentration of not less than 45% carbon dioxide by volume in atmospheric air.	bird shed
Combination 2	Carbon dioxide in a concentration of not less than 45% carbon dioxide by volume in atmospheric air.	gas container
Combination 3	Any mixture of argon and carbon dioxide, or other inert gas and carbon dioxide, in atmospheric air where–the concentration of the argon, or the other inert gas, does not exceed 80% by volume;the concentration of carbon dioxide does not exceed 20% by volume; andthe final concentration of oxygen does not exceed 5% by volume.	gas container

SCHEDULE 7A

PART I

1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part II

2

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART III

3

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART IV

Chamber operator

4

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Construction of the chamber

5

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Operation of the chamber

6

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART V

7

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SCHEDULE 7A

PART 1

1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part II

2

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART III

3

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART IV

Chamber operator

4

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Construction of the chamber

5

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Operation of the chamber

6

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART V

7

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Time limit for summary prosecution

26A

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Defence

Review

29

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .