The Scottish Government

The purpose of the Code is to provide guidance on the humane treatment of poultry (domestic fowls, turkeys, ducks, geese, guinea fowls, pheasants, partridges and quails) awaiting and during slaughter in slaughterhouses and on-farm, and to make recommendations in order to safeguard or improve the welfare conditions for birds. This Code does not cover the disposal of day old chicks. For further information on this aspect of poultry welfare, you can refer to the Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) publication "Code of practice for the disposal of chicks in hatcheries" (2 ^nd edition) (see appendix A for contact details).

The Code supplements the provisions of the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 (WASK) and its amendments (see appendix B for a full list of the legislation which applies). It does not replace them. WASK requires that you and your staff ensure that all those involved in handling birds throughout the slaughter process are familiar with the requirements of the Code. This Code applies only to Scotland.

The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 (WASK) - Interpretation

Regulation 2.-(1) In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires-

"animal" includes bird;

Animal welfare legislation and codes

Regulation 6.-(1) The occupier of a slaughterhouse or knacker's yard shall ensure that any person who is involved in any of the activities governed by these Regulations-

(a) is acquainted with the provisions of the legislation, and of any welfare codes, relevant to the operations that that person carries out;

(b) has access to a copy of any such welfare code at the slaughterhouse or knacker's yard;

(c) has received instruction and guidance on the requirements of such legislation and any such welfare code; and

(d) where, by virtue of paragraph 3 of Schedule 1, any such activity requires a licence, has the appropriate licence.

Every effort should be made to minimise unnecessary stress to birds during handling, stunning and slaughter. To this end, it is important that those who are responsible for, or who carry out, these operations are aware of the correct procedures and the consequences for the welfare of the birds if they are not followed.

Everyone engaged in the operation of slaughterhouses must familiarise themselves with the regulatory provisions to ensure that they comply with the law. Copies of Acts of Parliament and Regulations may be dowloaded free of charge from The Stationery Office Website

( www.thestationeryoffice.com) (see appendix A for further contact details).

WASK

Codes of practice

Regulation 7.-(1) The Scottish Ministers may from time to time, after consultation with such organisations as appear to them to represent the interests concerned-

(a) prepare and issue codes of practice for the purpose of providing guidance in respect of these Regulations; and

(b) revise any such code by revoking, varying, amending or adding to the provisions of the code.

(6) A failure on the part of any person to follow any guidance contained in a code issued under this regulation shall not of itself render that person liable to proceedings of any kind.

(7) If, in proceedings against any person for an offence consisting of the contravention of any provision of these Regulations, it is shown that, at any material time, they failed to follow any guidance contained in a code issued under this regulation, being guidance which was relevant to the provision concerned, that failure may be relied upon by the prosecution as tending to establish his guilt.

1 You can safeguard the welfare of birds in slaughterhouses by using a variety of management systems. These systems must prevent birds from being caused avoidable excitement, pain or suffering. These principles are covered later in this Code. The handling, stunning and slaughter of poultry must comply with the statutory requirements of WASK. You should assume that all references to the responsibilities placed on slaughterhouses under these regulations also apply to the slaughter of birds for commercial purposes anywhere.

WASK

Humane treatment of animals

Regulation 4.-(1) No person engaged in the movement, lairaging, restraint, stunning, slaughter or killing of animals shall-

(a) cause any avoidable excitement, pain or suffering to any animal; or

(b) permit any animal to sustain any avoidable excitement, pain or suffering.

(2) Without prejudice to paragraph (3) below, no person shall engage in the movement, lairaging, restraint, stunning, slaughter or killing of any animal unless he has the knowledge and skill necessary to perform those tasks humanely and efficiently in accordance with these Regulations.

(3) Schedule 1 shall have effect in relation to the licensing of slaughtermen.

2 Procedures in your slaughterhouse must be such as to ensure that birds are not caused avoidable excitement, pain or suffering at any stage of the slaughter process. Birds must either be killed instantaneously, or immediately rendered unconscious and insensible until death occurs. Stunned birds must remain unconscious until death occurs through bleeding. The design, construction and maintenance of a slaughterhouse must be such as to prevent injury and minimise distress being caused to birds being held there.

WASK SCHEDULE 5 - PART I

STUNNING OR KILLING OF ANIMALS OTHER THAN ANIMALS REARED FOR FUR

General provision

2. The occupier of a slaughterhouse or knacker's yard and any person engaged in the stunning or killing of any animal shall ensure that any instrument, restraining equipment and other equipment, and any installation, which is used for stunning or killing is used in such a way as to facilitate rapid and effective stunning or killing in accordance with these Regulations.

5 Understanding and care are needed in the handling of birds both before and at the time of slaughter. This must be backed-up by skill and efficiency. All staff should be aware of, and be sympathetic to, the needs of birds. A member of staff should be designated to attend a suitable training course, and assume responsibility for welfare in the plant generally. Training should be recognised as being a continuing process, which should be monitored and reviewed on a regular basis. A recognised course which management may wish to send staff on is the "Poultry Welfare Officer" course, run by the University of Bristol and marketed by the Meat Training Council (see appendix A for contact details). Also, the development of a company welfare policy, to heighten the awareness of staff to bird welfare issues, should be given a high priority.

WASK SCHEDULE 1

Operations which require a licence

3. The operations mentioned in paragraph 2 above for which a licence is required are any of the following-

(a) the restraint of any animal for the purpose of stunning, slaughtering or killing that animal;

(b) the stunning of any animal;

(c) the slaughter of any animal;

(d) the killing of any animal;

(e) the pithing of any stunned animal;

(f) the assessment of effective stunning, pithing or killing of any animal by any person whose duty it is to make such an assessment;

(g) the shackling or hoisting of any stunned animal; and

(h) the bleeding of any animal which is not dead.

Grant of provisional licences

7.-(1) An authorised veterinary surgeon shall grant a provisional licence to any applicant who-

(a) is, in the opinion of the authorised veterinary surgeon. a fit and proper person to hold a provisional licence;

(b) is not below the age of 18;

8 Birds must be unloaded from vehicles as soon as possible after arrival, avoiding unnecessary delay (see diagram 1). The law requires that your unloading area be built so that birds are both protected from adverse weather conditions, and are provided with adequate ventilation. The requirements on the protection of birds from adverse weather conditions, and the provision of adequate ventilation, also apply if there is a delay with unloading.

Pictre to be inserted Diagram 1: Birds being unloaded into a covered lairage

9 Minimise delays and unnecessary stress during unloading by making sure that the unloading area is of a sufficient size to allow birds from the largest anticipated load (and birds of the largest anticipated size) to be handled easily (see diagram 2). In addition, plant management should have a lairage management system in place for booking-in loads so birds are dealt with in order of delivery.

Picture to be inserted Diagram 2: Crates being moved into a covered lairage

10 Birds must be unloaded from vehicles with care, in a calm unhurried manner, so that they are not in an unsettled or excitable state when they are subsequently handled for slaughter.

11 When unloading birds in crates, your staff must ensure that:

• crates are handled with care and, where possible, crates are unloaded horizontally and mechanically;
• crates should be stacked far enough apart to encourage airflow or air extraction from between stacks (see paragraph 21 on heat stress in poultry); and
• particular care is paid to moving crates with a perforated or flexible bottom.

WASK SCHEDULE 2 - PART I

REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL SLAUGHTERHOUSES AND KNACKERS' YARDS

General requirements for all slaughterhouses and knackers' yards

1. The occupier of a slaughterhouse or knacker's yard shall ensure that-

(a) its construction, facilities, equipment and operation are such as to spare animals any avoidable excitement, pain, injury or suffering;

(b) it has suitable equipment and facilities available for the purpose of unloading animals from means of transport, save that any occupier of a slaughterhouse or knacker's yard which was in operation before 1st July 1994 need not comply with this requirement until 1st January 1996;

SCHEDULE 3 - PART IV

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ANIMALS DELIVERED IN CONTAINERS

Handling of animals delivered in containers

14. In addition to the requirements in Part 1 above, the occupier of a slaughterhouse and any person engaged in the movement of any animal delivered in any container shall ensure that-

(a) any container in which any such animal is transported is handled with care and is not thrown, dropped or knocked over;

(b) where possible, the container is loaded and unloaded horizontally and mechanically;

(c) any animal delivered in a container with a perforated or flexible bottom is unloaded with particular care in order to avoid injury; and

(d) where appropriate, animals are unloaded from the containers individually.

12 Following unloading, all consignments of birds should be carefully inspected to assess their overall condition. Birds which are found to be dead on arrival should be removed immediately. Any bird which is found to be injured, or is unfit for any other reason (for example, it might be suffering from heat exhaustion), must be killed or slaughtered immediately using an appropriate emergency method. Killing methods which you can use are:

• mechanical killing (for example, the Accles & Shelvoke "CASH" killer - see paragraphs 66-68 for further details);
• neck dislocation; and

• decapitation.

THE WELFARE OF ANIMALS (TRANSPORT) ORDER 1997 (WATO) ARTICLE 7 - PART 1

Treatment of sick animals
7. - (1) Where animals fall ill or are injured during transport, the person in charge of the animals shall ensure that they receive first-aid treatment as soon as possible, that they are given appropriate veterinary treatment and if necessary are slaughtered in a way which does not involve unnecessary suffering

Summary - unloading birds from vehicles

• Birds must be unloaded from vehicles as soon as possible after arrival at a slaughterhouse.
• Birds must be unloaded with care.
• Upon discovering birds which have been injured in transit, they must be humanely killed immediately.

13 Your slaughterhouse must provide a suitable, covered lairage, where birds may rest when they arrive (see diagram 3).

Picture to be inserted Diagram 3: Birds in a covered lairage building (with gas stun-killing equipment alongside)

14 Lairages should be constructed so as to enable them to be thoroughly cleansed. Walls and floors in the lairage should be durable, impermeable, and easy to clean and disinfect.

15 Adequate ventilation must be provided. A continuously open ridge ventilator may be sufficient for the extraction of stale air from the lairage, but forced ventilation may be needed in some circumstances, for example during hot weather. Adjustable wall-mounted air inlets fitted above stacked crates can provide a draught-free flow of air. The objective should be to encourage the movement of air through and around the stacked crates, so that cooler air is drawn into the environment at ground level and is then drawn vertically past the birds and sucked out through the roof. Keep the lairage, and equipment in it, clean and in good repair. Take measures to control vermin (such as rats and mice).

16 Birds kept in crates in the lairage must be provided with shelter from adverse weather. If slaughter or killing is expected to be delayed for more than 12 hours, birds must be provided with:

WASK SCHEDULE 3 - PART II

REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL ANIMALS AWAITING SLAUGHTER OR KILLING

General requirements

2. The occupier of a slaughterhouse or knacker's yard and any person engaged in the movement of lairaging of animals must ensure that-

(a) every animal is unloaded as soon as possible after its arrival and, if delay in unloading is unavoidable, it is protected from adverse weather conditions and is provided with adequate ventilation;

(b) when unloaded, every animal is protected from adverse weather conditions and is provided with adequate ventilation;

(c) if any animal has been subjected to high temperatures in humid weather, it is cooled by appropriate means;

(d) any animals which might injure each other on account of their species, sex, age or origin or for any other reason are kept and lairaged apart from each other;

(e) pending the slaughter or killing of any sick or disabled animal in the slaughterhouse or knacker's yard, it is kept apart from any animal which is not sick or disabled;

Inspection of animals

3. The occupier of a slaughterhouse or knacker's yard mustl ensure that the condition and state of health of every animal is inspected at least every morning and evening by him or by a competent person acting on his behalf.

PART IV

Slaughter or killing of animals delivered in containers

15. The occupier of a slaughterhouse and any person engaged in the movement or handling of any animal must ensure that-

(a) any animal which has been transported in a container is slaughtered or killed as soon as possible; and

(b) if slaughter or killing is delayed and if it is necessary-

(i) the animal has drinking water available to it from appropriate facilities at all times; and

(ii) a sufficient quantity of wholesome food is provided for the animal on its arrival at the lairage and twice daily thereafter, except that no animal need be fed within 12 hours of the time at which it is slaughtered or killed.

19 Any bird which is in acute pain, for any reason, must be killed without delay (see paragraph 12). This must take precedence over the slaughter of any other birds. Your slaughterhouse should have a procedure in place to ensure that emergency killing can take place at any time. For example, train all your staff in appropriate killing methods in case a bird has to be killed when no slaughterman is available, so that no delay occurs in the death of a bird which is suffering.

WASK SCHEDULE 3 - Part II

Emergency slaughter and killing

5. The occupier of a slaughterhouse or knacker's yard and any person engaged in the movement of lairaging of any animal must ensure that any animal which is unable to walk is not dragged to its place of slaughter or killing but-

(a) is slaughtered or killed where it lies;

(b) when unloaded, every animal is protected from adverse weather conditions and is provided with adequate ventilation;

(c) if any animal has been subjected to high temperatures in humid weather, it is cooled by appropriate means;

(d) any animals which might injure each other on account of their species, sex, age or origin or for any other reason are kept and lairaged apart from each other;

(e) pending the slaughter or killing of any sick or disabled animal in the slaughterhouse or knacker's yard, it is kept apart from any animal which is not sick or disabled; and

(f) no person drags any animal which has been stunned or killed over any other animal which has not been stunned or killed.

Summary - lairages

• Suitable covered accommodation must be provided for birds in the lairage.
• Birds awaiting slaughter must be provided with access to water and wholesome food twice daily, but not within the 12 hours of slaughter.
• Experienced staff should be on hand at all times, to take responsibility for the care of birds in the lairage.

23 Careful thought should be given to the design of your shackle line at the point where staff hang on birds, to ensure the welfare of the birds is safeguarded.

24 Birds should be presented to the hangers-on in a way that reduces effort on the part of staff (see diagram 6). Staff who hang-on birds should be encouraged to smooth the birds with their hands, as this will help settle the birds on the line.

Picture to be inserted Diagram 6: Birds being placed in shackles

SCHEDULE 4

RESTRAINT OF ANIMALS BEFORE STUNNING, SLAUGHTER OR KILLING

6.-(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, no person may suspend, or cause or permit to be suspended, any animal before stunning or killing.

(2) The provisions in sub-paragraph (1) above shall not apply for stunning or killing provided that-

(a) no bird is suspended in such a manner as to cause it avoidable pain or suffering;

(b) appropriate measures are taken to ensure that, at the point of being stunned or killed, the bird is in a sufficiently relaxed state for stunning or killing to be carried out effectively and without undue delay; and

(c) no bird is suspended for more than 6 minutes in the case of a turkey or 3 minutes in other cases before being stunned or killed.

Summary - shackling

• Birds must be fitted securely into shackles.
• Birds with leg deformities, and small birds, must not be shackled. Instead they must be humanely killed immediately.
• Birds should not be shackled for more than 6 mins in the case of turkeys, or 3 mins in the case of any other bird before effective stunning.

Summary - waterbath pre-stun shocks

• When using a waterbath stunner, care must be taken to avoid pre-stun shocks to birds.

34 Any method of stunning must cause a bird to lose consciousness immediately, and to stay unconscious until its death. In large-scale slaughterhouses, the use of an electric waterbath stunner is the main method of stunning birds.

35 In addition to stun-only methods, there are also stun-kill methods. A stun-kill method is one where the process results in the death of the bird. You can use electricity or gas to stun-kill.

36 Smaller-scale operators may use killing techniques which can be used on individual birds. Large-scale slaughterhouses may use these methods for casualty slaughter in the event of problems with their normal methods of slaughter or killing.

WASK SCHEDULE 5 - PART II

STUNNING OR KILLING OF ANIMALS OTHER THAN ANIMALS REARED FOR FUR

Stunning of animals

3. No person may stun, or cause or permit to be stunned, any animal unless it is possible to-

(a) bleed or pith it without delay and in accordance with Schedule 6; or

(b) kill it without delay and in accordance with Part III of this Schedule.

Permitted methods of stunning animals

4. No person may stun any animal, or cause or permit any animal to be stunned, except by one of the following methods-

(a) captive bolt;

(b) concussion; or

(c) electronarcosis.

PART III

Methods of killing animals

13. No person shall kill, or cause or permit to be killed, any animal except by one of the following methods-

(a) free bullet;

(b) electrocution;

(c) for birds only, decapitation or dislocation of the neck; or

(d) exposure of pigs and birds to gas mixtures in accordance with Schedule 7.

Waterbath stunning

39 To make sure that an effective stun is achieved in a waterbath, it is essential that:

• the correct current is applied for sufficient time, to ensure an adequate period of unconsciousness results;
• the electrodes are positioned, and are operating, correctly ²;
• there is secure contact between the bird, the shackle and the earth rubbing bar; and

• the water level used in the waterbath is sufficient to completely cover the head of the bird being processed.

If any one of these criteria is not met, the bird may not be stunned effectively.

40 When using a waterbath stunner, it is important to ensure that:

• the electrical stunning equipment (including any control panel) is checked regularly and is in proper working order;
• defects in the stunning equipment are rectified immediately;
• spare equipment, in proper working order, is kept available in case the equipment in regular use fails to stun birds effectively;

• the voltmeter and ammeter displays are regularly calibrated; and

• the effectiveness of the procedure is regularly monitored by a trained operative and the plant Official Veterinary Surgeon.

WASK SCHEDULE 5 - PART II

STUNNING

Specific requirements for stunning by electronarcosis - waterbath stunners

10. No person may use, or cause or permit to be used, a water bath stunner to stun any bird unless-

(a) the level of the water in the waterbath has been adjusted in order to ensure that there is good contact with the bird's head;

(b) the strength and duration of the current used is such that the bird is immediately rendered unconscious and remains so until it is dead;

(c) where poultry are stunned in groups in a waterbath, a voltage sufficient to produce a current strong enough to ensure that every bird is stunned is maintained; and

(d) appropriate measures are taken to ensure that the current passes efficiently, in particular that there are good electrical contacts and the shackle-to-leg contact is kept wet.

11. No person may use, or cause or permit to be used, any waterbath stunner unless-

(a) it is adequate in size and depth for the type of bird being slaughtered;

(b) it does not overflow at the entrance, or, if an overflow is unavoidable, measures are taken to ensure that no bird receives an electrical shock before it is stunned; and

(c) the electrode which is immersed in the water extends the length of the waterbath.

53 Please note that if electricity is applied across a bird's neck rather than across its brain, the bird may suffer painful paralysis rather than becoming unconscious. This will mean it will suffer during the slaughter process.

WASK SCHEDULE 4

RESTRAINT OF ANIMALS BEFORE STUNNING, SLAUGHTER OR KILLING.

8. No person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, any electrical stunning or killing equipment or any other instrument which applies an electric current to animals-

(a) as a means of restraining any animal;

(b) as a means of immobilising any animal; or

(c) except in accordance with paragraph 11 of Schedule 3, as a means of making any animal move.

Summary - using electricity to stun and stun-kill birds

• Electrical stunning is the most commonly used method in the slaughter of birds.
• Waterbath stunning is the most common electrical stunning technique.
• A low frequency stunning source for waterbath equipment should be used if only one carotid artery is being cut.

54 Birds may be killed by means of exposure to one of several gas mixtures. WASK-permitted mixtures are detailed in Schedule 7 of the Regulations. We recommend at least 2 mins exposure to ensure all birds are killed (see diagram 9). (Please note that controlled atmosphere stunning and killing has only been developed for chickens and turkeys.)

Picture to be inserted Diagram 9: Crates being loaded into a gassing unit

55 There are several welfare advantages to using a gas stun-killing system:

• the birds don't have to suffer the distress of being turned upside down, or the pain of shackling;
• there is no need for your staff to handle live birds at any time;
• there are no pre-stun shocks, which you can get with waterbath stunning; and
• all the birds are dead before reaching the neck-cutters.

There are also meat quality advantages to using a gas stun-killing system:

• there are fewer broken bones;
• less damage occurs in the breast meat; and
• further processing of the bird can be progressed more quickly (particularly with birds stun-killed using nitrogen/argon mixtures with high nitrogen concentrations - maturation times for these birds are cut by up to 75%).

56 The gassing unit used must contain a device which will give audible and visible warnings if the concentration of gas in the chamber moves outside the WASK required concentrations (see diagrams 10 & 11). If this happens, or if any other problem with the installation arises, any birds which are still alive must be killed using an appropriate emergency method (see paragraph 12 for details).

Picture to be inserted Diagram 10: Gassing unit control centre

Picture to be inserted Diagram 11: Gassing unit mixer

Recognising an effective kill after using gas

57 On leaving the gassing unit, the birds will be recumbent and generally relaxed. There will be no nictitating membrane reflex (movement of the third eyelid when the eye is touched). The pupils will be dilated, and normal rhythmic breathing will have ceased.

58 An amendment to the legislation to allow a greater number of gas mixtures came into force in 2001. In addition, work is being carried out into the use of nitrogen/carbon dioxide mixtures and nitrogen/argon mixtures. It is necessary to remain up to date on all current practices and changes, especially changes to the legislation.

WASK SCHEDULE 7 - PART III

KILLING BIRDS BY EXPOSURE TO GAS MIXTURES

The killing of birds by exposure to gas mixtures

7.-(1) Subject to paragraphs 8 to 10 below, birds may be killed at a slaughterhouse by exposure to an anoxic gas mixture which rapidly renders birds insensible to pain or distress in a chamber provided for the purpose (hereinafter referred to as "a chamber").

(2) In this Part "gas mixture" means either -

(a) argon, nitrogen or other inert gases, or any mixture of these gases, in atmospheric air with a maximum of 2% oxygen by volume; or

(b) any mixture of argon, nitrogen, or other inert gases with atmospheric air and carbon dioxide provided that the carbon dioxide concentration does not exceed 30% by volume and the oxygen concentration does not exceed 2% by volume.

Construction of the chamber

8. The occupier of a slaughterhouse at which a chamber is used shall ensure that-

(a) the chamber and the equipment used for conveying any bird through the gas mixture are designed, constructed and maintained-

(i) so as to avoid injury to any bird; and

(ii) so that once a bird enters into the chamber it is conveyed to the point in the chamber of maximum concentration of the gas mixture within a maximum period of 10 seconds;

(b) the installation has an apparatus which maintains the required concentration by volume of oxygen or carbon dioxide, as appropriate, in the chamber;

(c) the chamber is fitted with devices which-

(i) measure the concentration by volume of oxygen or carbon dioxide in the gas mixture, as appropriate, at the point of maximum concentration;

(ii) when the chamber is in operation, display continuously the concentration by volume of oxygen or carbon dioxide, as appropriate, as a percentage of the total gas mixture at the point of maximum concentration in the chamber; and

(iii) give clearly visible and audible warning signals-

(aa) where the gas mixture used is that mentioned at paragraph 7(2)(a) above, if the concentration by volume of oxygen rises above 5% for more than 30 seconds, and

(bb) where the gas mixture used is that mentioned at paragraph 7(2)(b) above, if the concentration by volume of carbon dioxide rises above 30%

(d) there is a means of visually monitoring birds which are in the chamber;

(e) there is a means of flushing the chamber with atmospheric air with the minimum delay; and

(f) there is a means of access to any bird in any part of the chamber with the minimum of delay.

The operation of the chamber

9. The occupier of a slaughterhouse at which a chamber is used shall ensure that-

(a) the birds are exposed to the gas mixture for long enough to ensure that they are killed;

(b) the chamber is properly maintained; and

(c) every person engaged in the gas killing is properly instructed as to-

(i) the method of operation of the chamber;

(ii) the procedures for any necessary flushing of the chamber with atmospheric air; and

(iii) the procedures for any necessary evacuation of birds from the chamber.

10. The occupier of a slaughterhouse at which a chamber is used and any person engaged in the killing of birds by exposure to the gas mixture shall ensure that-

(a) any bird which arrives at the installation in a transport crate and which is removed from the crate before it enters the chamber is handled with care and in such a way that the bird is not caused avoidable pain or suffering;

(b) no bird enters the chamber if, as appropriate-

(i) the displayed concentration of oxygen is above 2% by volume, except that the concentration of oxygen may occasionally rise to a concentration of not more than 5% by volume for not more than 30 seconds; or

(ii) the displayed concentration of carbon dioxide is above 30% by volume;

(c) no bird is passed through or allowed to remain in the chamber at any time when the visible and audible warning signals provided for in paragraph 8(c)(iii) above have been activated or when there is any defect in the operation of the chamber; and

(d) no bird is shackled before it is dead.

Summary - controlled atmosphere stunning and killing

• Where birds are killed by exposure to gas mixtures, the mixtures must be permitted by WASK.
• Permitted gas mixtures have been revised to allow the use of lower carbon dioxide limits.
• The main welfare advantage of gas stun-killing is that it involves no shackling of live birds.

Summary - small scale slaughter of birds and emergency slaughter methods

• Several permitted methods exist for the stunning and killing of individual birds. The CASH killer is one such method which is becoming more widely used.

74 After stunning or stun-killing, the bleeding of birds is the final stage of the slaughter process.

75 Neck-cutting (manual or automatic) must sever at least one of the carotid arteries or the vessels from which they arise.

76 WASK requires that where a slaughterhouse uses an automated neck-cutting device, a member of staff must be at the site of the neck-cutter, to make sure it has effectively severed at least one of the carotid arteries of each bird. It is the responsibility of the member of staff to ensure that the neck-cutter makes the necessary cut. If the neck-cutter fails, the member of staff must make the necessary cut to ensure a profuse bleed-out. Any member of staff carrying out back-up neck cutting must be a licensed slaughterman.

77 Where possible (and where high frequency stunners are employed, it is recommended), cut both carotid arteries and both jugular veins. This will cause profuse bleeding, which will lead to death more quickly. To achieve this cut, a sharp, clean knife should be used to cut across the front of the neck just below the head.

78 After the cut, no electrical stimulation nor any further dressing procedure of a bird is permitted until the bleeding has stopped, and certainly not less than:

• 120 seconds after cutting a turkey or a goose; and

• 90 seconds after cutting any other bird.

Always check that the bird is dead before further processing.

[MEANS OF SPACING - INTENTIONALLY BLANK]

WASK SCHEDULE 6

BLEEDING OR PITHING OF ANIMALS

3.-(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (3) below, any person engaged in the bleeding of any animal that has been stunned must ensure that-

(a) the bleeding is rapid, profuse and complete;

(b) the bleeding is completed before the animal regains consciousness; and

(c) the bleeding is carried out by severing at least one of the carotid arteries or the vessels from which they arise.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraph (3) below, after severance of at least one of the carotid arteries or the vessels from which they arise of any animal that has been stunned before bleeding, no person may cause or permit any further dressing procedure or any electrical stimulation to be performed on the animal before the bleeding has ended 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;

(b) in the case of any other bird, a period of not less than 90 seconds;

4.-(2) Where one person is responsible for the stunning and bleeding of birds or rabbits, those operations must be carried out by him consecutively in respect of one bird or rabbit before being so carried out by him in respect of another bird or rabbit.

Manual back up of automatic machinery

5.-(1) The occupier of a slaughterhouse shall ensure that no bird is slaughtered by means of automatic neck cutters unless, whenever the neck cutters are operated, a person is present who is able to ascertain whether or not the neck cutters have effectively severed at least one of the carotid arteries or the vessels from which they arise.

(2) In the event of the machinery not being effective in severing at least one of the carotid arteries or the vessels from which they arise, the occupier of the slaughterhouse in which the neck cutters are situated shall ensure that the bird is slaughtered or killed immediately.

Summary - bleeding

• To allow bleeding to take place, a bird must be cut in such a way as to sever at least one carotid artery.
• Where possible, both carotid arteries and both jugular veins should be cut.
• Once cut, birds must be left for a period of time (turkeys/geese - 120 secs, all other birds - 90 secs) before further processing can take place.

80 The cut made during slaughter by a religious method must sever both carotid arteries. The oesophagus (gullet) and trachea (windpipe) may also be severed. The cut must be made by means of rapid, uninterrupted movement of the knife, which must be inspected before each bird is slaughtered to ensure that it is undamaged and large enough and sharp enough for the purpose.

81 Birds must not be further processed, or electrical stimulation applied, after the cut has been made, until the bird is unconscious, and in any event not until a period of not less than 120 seconds in the case of a turkey or a goose, and not less than 90 seconds in the case of any other bird, has elapsed.

82 An emergency slaughter device in good working order should be kept readily available for use, in case the incision is not made efficiently as described in paragraph 80, and the bird is suffering pain or distress as a result, or for any other emergency.

[MEANS OF SPACING - INTENTIONALLY BLANK]

WASK SCHEDULE 12 - PART I

Slaughter by a religious method

2. In this Schedule references to slaughter by a religious method are references to slaughter without the infliction of unnecessary suffering-

(a) by the Jewish method for the food of Jews by a Jew who holds a licence in accordance with Schedule 1 (which relates to the licensing of slaughtermen) and who is duly licensed-

(i) in England and Wales by the Rabbinical Commission referred to in Part IV of this Schedule; or

(ii) in Scotland by the Chief Rabbi; or

(b) by the Muslim method for the food of Muslims by a Muslim who holds a licence in accordance with Schedule 1.

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.

Summary - religious slaughter

• The cut must sever both carotid arteries.
• Once cut, birds must be left for a period of time (turkeys/geese - 120 secs, all other birds - 90 secs) before further processing can take place.
• An emergency slaughter device should be kept on hand at all times in the event of difficulties in the slaughter process, which leads to a bird suffering.