Back to Farmed Animal Welfare: Slaughter
|
STUNNING AND STICKING MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD WELSH OFFICE AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT SCOTTISH OFFICE AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT |
 |
This guide highlights some of the more important points to observe in complying with the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 in relation to the slaughter of red meat animals. It also suggests the best practices which can help to achieve this. |
|
It is not a substitute for the law. Anyone involved with the stunning and sticking of red meat animals should acquaint themselves with the requirements of the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995. | |
|
Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 S.I. 1995 No 731 is published by The Stationery Office, price £6.10. |
STUNNING AND STICKING
Animals must not be subjected to avoidable excitement, pain or suffering
Anyone carrying out stunning and sticking must have the knowledge and skill necessary to perform the task humanely and efficiently
At every premises there must be a member of staff responsible for safeguarding animal welfare
| STUNNING | |
| Always | |
 |
ensure that an effective stun is achieved |
|
keep stunning equipment maintained and clean |
|
have available a reserve stunning instrument in good working order for the immediate use in case the first stunning instrument fails to operate effectively |
|
stun injured animals without delay |
|
Handle animals in a manner which will allow stunning, hoisting and sticking to take place without delay |
|
complete all operations on one animal before the next is handled if working alone |
|
stun adult cattle in a stunning or restraining pen which is in good working order |
|
always bleed without delay after stunning |
| Never | |
 |
leave animals waiting in stunning pens |
|
place an animals in a stunning pen unless the person who is carry out the stunning is ready to do so immediately |
|
Stun an animal unless you are sure you can apply the stunning instrument correctly |
|
stun an animal unless it is possible to for it to be stuck without delay |
|
use electrical stunning equipment for the purposes other than stunning animals |
|
tie the legs of the animal or suspend it by the legs before stunning |
| STICKING | |
| Knives should
always be kept sharp |
|
| Always | |
|
stick animals promptly after stunning |
|
stick with a cut at an appropriate position for the species to ensure that all major blood vessels are severed |
| Never | |
|
carry out electrical stimulation or any dressing procedure on an animal until bleeding has ended and in any event not until a period of at least 20 seconds in the case of sheep, goats and pigs and 30 seconds in the case of cattle has elapsed following sticking. |
| Achieving high welfare of red meat animals at slaughter depends on | |
| sympathetic, informed and competent handling | |
| provision of well maintained equipment and facilities designed with welfare of live animals in mind | |
