The Scottish Government

It is an offence to cause or allow any avoidable excitement, pain or suffering to any animal during handling, stunning and slaughter. So, it is important that those who are responsible for, or who carry out, these operations are aware of the correct procedures and the effects on animal welfare if these procedures are not followed.

Everyone involved with red-meat slaughterhouses or knackers' yards should be familiar with the relevant regulations, to make sure they obey the law. Copies of the legislation are available from The Stationery Office at www.thestationeryoffice.com (see appendix B for contact details).

WASK

Codes of practice

Regulation 7.-(1) 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, he 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 protect animal welfare in slaughterhouses and knackers' yards under a variety of management systems. These systems all work under the same broad principles, aimed at preventing animals experiencing any avoidable excitement, pain or suffering. These principles are explained in the various sections of this Code. The handling, stunning and slaughtering of animals in slaughterhouses and knackers' yards must meet the statutory (legal) requirements of WASK. You should assume that all references to the responsibilities placed on slaughterhouses under these regulations also apply to knackers' yards.

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.

(4) Parts II and III below are without prejudice to the generality of paragraphs (1) and (2) above.

2 A slaughterhouse or knacker's yard must be designed, built and maintained so that no animals held there suffer any injury. Also, you should regularly review the layout and design of your premises, to see if there are any changes you could make to improve animal welfare. Slaughterhouse procedures must not cause or allow the animals any avoidable excitement, pain or suffering before or during the slaughter process. Animals must be killed instantly, or be made instantly insensible and remain so until their death. You must carry out the stunning and slaughter without causing the animal any avoidable excitement, pain or suffering. After stunning, you must carry out sticking immediately.

WASK SCHEDULE 5

STUNNING OR KILLING OF ANIMALS OTHER THAN ANIMALS REARED FOR FUR

PART I

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 Everyone involved in the slaughter process should handle the animals with care and understanding before and during slaughter. You must back this up with skill and efficiency, particularly during stunning and sticking. Everyone should consider:

• the animals' needs;
• how they should use the equipment properly; and
• how the slaughter affects the animals.

Managers at the premises should recognise their own responsibility for welfare (of the animals and employees), and they should choose a staff member to go on a suitable training course and take responsibility for general animal welfare at the premises. Managers also need to recognise that training should be ongoing, and that they should monitor and review it regularly. They should develop a company welfare policy to make employees more aware of animal-welfare issues. Management should also make sure that there are enough appropriate signs around a facility, to remind staff of the need to maintain animal-welfare standards at every stage of the slaughter process (see diagram 1).

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Diagram 1: An example of a slaughterhouse sign

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 Your slaughterhouse must have facilities that are of a suitable height and design for unloading animals from any size of vehicle directly into a lairage. In many cases, the most suitable arrangement to accommodate varying tail-board heights, and to avoid the animals having to climb down a steep slope, would be an unloading dock. This means that the dock is level with the lorry floor, or slopes up slightly, and the animals can walk through an offset entrance into the lairage area (see diagrams 2 and 3).

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Diagram 2: Unloading dock with side rails

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Diagram 3: Unloading in action

9 Any fixed ramp, adjustable loading bay or other equipment that you use in the unloading area should have a non-slip surface. If you use a stepped ramp, it should be suitable for the animals you are unloading. Animals will often be unsteady on their feet at the end of a journey, and you will need lateral (side) protection - such as solid sides, side rails or gates - on the unloading equipment to prevent animals falling or jumping off the ramp. You will also need to fit battens (metal or wooden bars), or something similar, so that the animals can get a proper foothold. Steep slopes and unstable or slippery unloading equipment may cause them to baulk (stop and refuse to move) or fall, so you should avoid using them.

10 You may have problems when you unload animals from multi-tier vehicles (those that have more than one deck). Where possible, you should fit tail lifts or

hydraulically - operated decks to these vehicles, or use adjustable unloading bays.

11 The unloading area must be designed so that the animals are protected from the weather, and have enough ventilation. To keep delays and stress during unloading to a minimum, you should make sure that there is enough room in the unloading area to handle even the largest load of animals (and the largest size of animals) expected. You should also make sure that natural and artificial lighting in that area is bright enough (but not directed into the animal's eyes) to encourage the animals to leave the vehicle, and allow the unloading to go ahead safely and efficiently. Animals prefer to move from a dark area into a brighter one.

WASK SCHEDULE 2

THE CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF SLAUGHTERHOUSES AND KNACKERS' YARDS

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,

PART II

Additional requirements for slaughterhouses or knackers' yards to which animals are delivered other than in containers

2. In addition to requirements of paragraph 1 above, the occupier of a slaughterhouse or knacker's yard to which animals are delivered other than in containers shall ensure that-

(a) any equipment for unloading such animals is of a suitable height and design for that purpose, has non-slip flooring and, if necessary, is provided with lateral protection;

(b) any bridge, ramp and gangway is fitted with sides, railings or some other means of protection to prevent animals falling off them;

14 If you find that, when it arrives at the slaughterhouse, an animal is injured or unfit for any reason - and you cannot unload it from the vehicle without causing it pain - it must be humanely killed or slaughtered on the vehicle, using an appropriate emergency method. Under no circumstances should you force such an animal off the vehicle. The phone number of the duty slaughterman must be clearly displayed at the unloading point.

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 animals from vehicles

• Animals should be carefully unloaded from vehicles, in a calm, unhurried manner.
• Steep slopes, and unstable or slippery unloading equipment, may cause animals to baulk or fall, and so must be avoided.
• Operators should make sure that the unloading is done by a competent member of staff.
• If an animal has been injured during transportation, it must be humanely killed or slaughtered on the vehicle, using an appropriate emergency method.

15 Each slaughter premises must have a suitable lairage where animals can rest when they arrive. Animals can be lairaged either in a covered, purpose-built lairage, or in a field. In any case, you must not keep animals in a lairage for more than 72 hours, unless the Official Veterinary Surgeon at the premises gives his or her permission - and then only under exceptional circumstances.

16 Purpose - built lairages should be designed so that they can be cleaned thoroughly. The walls and floors in slaughter premises should be

hard - wearing, waterproof, and easy to clean and disinfect. You should also make sure that the animals are securely penned (shut in), and cannot escape from the lairage.

17 The lairage should have draught-free ventilation (airflow). A ventilator grille, which is always open, may be enough to extract stale air from the whole lairage. But you will need forced ventilation in some circumstances (for example, during very hot weather). Adjustable,

wall - mounted air inlets, fitted above the animals, can provide a draught-free flow of air. You should also do what you can to control vermin (such as rats and mice).

18 Floors on which the animals have to walk should be non-slip, and ideally have a cross-ridged or diamond pattern (see diagram 4), or have a non-slip coating. If possible, you should use the same non-slip flooring from the lairage through to the stunning box. If you change the flooring, it can make animals baulk or panic; as can grids over drains and gullies.

19 Whichever floor pattern you choose, you must make sure that it cannot injure animals' feet. You must keep the lairage and equipment clean, and in good working order. Every animal you keep in the lairage must have:

You should make sure that any slatted or mesh floors are clean and well looked after, and that there are no gaps in which animals could catch their feet.

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Diagram 4: Scored floor to prevent animals slipping

WASK SCHEDULE 2

Part II

Additional requirements relating to lairages other than field lairages

3. The occupier of a slaughterhouse or knacker's yard to which animals are delivered other than in containers shall ensure that-

(a) the slaughterhouse or knacker's yard is equipped with a sufficient number of pens for adequate lairaging of the animals with protection from the effects of adverse weather conditions;

(b) any lairage has -

(i) a floor which minimises the risk of slipping and which does not cause injury to any animal which is in contact with it;

(ii) adequate ventilation to ensure that temperature, air relative humidity and ammonia levels are kept within limits that are not harmful to any animal, taking into account the extremes of temperature and humidity which may be expected;

(iii) where such ventilation is provided other than naturally, a replacement means of maintaining adequate ventilation available for use if the original source of ventilation fails;

(iv) adequate lighting (whether fixed or portable) to enable the animals to be thoroughly inspected at any time;

(v) where necessary, suitable equipment for tethering animals; and

(vi) drinking facilities and racks, mangers or other equipment adequate in number and size for the watering and feeding of all animals confined in the lairage, fixed where practicable, and so constructed and placed that they are easily accessible to all the animals, can readily be filled and cannot readily be fouled; and

(c) where the lairage is one in which any horses are confined, the lairage contains at least one loose box which is so constructed as to minimise the danger of any horse injuring itself or any other animal confined in that lairage.

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 shall 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 shall 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.

31 You must immediately slaughter any animal that is in acute pain for any reason. This must be done before any other animals are slaughtered. If it would not cause any avoidable pain or suffering, you can transport the animal on a trolley to a place set aside for emergency slaughter. To help identify animals in acute pain, staff should look out for:

• increased noise;
• unwillingness or inability to move or stand up when they are encouraged to do so;
• difficulty in moving; or
• any other behaviour that sets an animal apart from the others.

32 You must immediately slaughter any animal that is too young to take solid food. If you cannot move an animal from a lairage without suffering or pain, you must kill or slaughter it in the lairage.

33 Your slaughterhouse should have a procedure for carrying out emergency killing or slaughter at any time, which means that contact details for slaughtermen are available at all times. However, if you cannot contact a licensed slaughterman quickly, any competent person may use an appropriate method of slaughtering or killing an animal in an emergency - as long as the animal does not suffer any avoidable excitement or pain. You should make sure that all your staff are aware of their responsibilities in an emergency. For example, if an animal gets badly injured in a fight with other animals and it is in pain, the animal will have to be immediately killed or slaughtered.

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 or lairaging of any animal shall 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; or

(b) if it is possible and to do so would not cause any unnecessary pain or suffering, is transported on a trolley or movable platform to a place of emergency slaughter or killing where it is then immediately slaughtered or killed.

39 If you are using a field as a lairage, you must regularly check the condition of the animals. You must not use a field lairage if its condition (refer to paragraph 42), or the weather, is likely to cause the animals avoidable excitement, pain or suffering.

40 You must provide shelter for the animals in extreme weather conditions (either too hot or too cold). The animals must always have plenty of water, and enough food for when they arrive and twice a day after that. However, you do not need to feed an animal if it will be slaughtered within 12 hours.

41 Where necessary, field lairages should have suitable equipment for tethering animals (tying them to a particular spot). Please note that tethering is not recommended for goats of any age. The lairages should also have enough lighting (either fixed or portable) for the animals to be thoroughly inspected at any time.

42 You must maintain the field lairage in such a condition that it does not put the animals at any risk. You can do this through good grassland management (for example, rotating which paddocks you use to prevent the build-up of disease, and to prevent the ground being trampled on too much or compacted). Also, you should make sure that dung does not build up.

WASK Schedule 2

Part II

Additional requirements for field lairages

4. The occupier of a slaughterhouse or knacker's yard shall ensure that any field lairage -

(a) if it is without natural shelter or shade and is used during adverse weather conditions, has appropriate protection against such conditions for any animal using it;

(b) is maintained in such condition as to ensure that no animal is subjected to any physical, chemical or other health hazard;

(c) where necessary, has suitable equipment for tethering animals;

(d) has adequate lighting (whether fixed or portable) available to enable the animals to be thoroughly inspected at any time; and

(e) is provided with drinking facilities and, if necessary, with racks, mangers or other equipment adequate in number and size for the watering and feeding of all animals confined in the field lairage, fixed where practicable, and so constructed and placed that they are easily accessible to all the animals, can readily be filled and cannot readily be fouled.

Summary - lairages

43 You may have to move animals more than once between them arriving and being slaughtered. To reduce the stress that this may cause the animals, everyone involved should always handle and move animals calmly, and with as little force and noise as possible. The advice and recommendations in this section apply to handling and moving animals anywhere in the slaughter premises.

44 We recommend that you keep animals that were reared together in the same group, and do not mix them with other groups. When moving animals, you should take advantage of the natural instincts of cattle and sheep to follow a herd leader. You should not drive animals from a brightly-lit area (with either natural or artificial lighting) into a darker area, and you should not make them pass any shadows, direct sunlight, or shining or moving objects. If animals do have to cross shadows, staff should be aware of animals' general dislike of shadows. In these circumstances, staff should handle animals with the appropriate level of patience and understanding. Staff who handle animals should only handle the species they are familiar with.

WASK SCHEDULE 3 - PART III

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ANIMALS DELIVERED OTHER THAN IN CONTAINERS

Instruments to make animals move

11. No person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, to make any animal move any instrument which administers an electric shock, except that such an instrument which has been designed for the purpose of making an animal move may be used on adult bovine animals and adult pigs which refuse to move, provided that-

(a) the shocks last no more than two seconds each and are adequately spaced out;

(b) the animal has room ahead of it in which to move; and

(c) such shocks are applied only to the muscles of the hindquarters.

Treatment of animals

12.-(1) No person shall strike, or apply pressure to, any particularly sensitive part of the body of any animal.

(3) No person shall inflict any blow or kick to any animal.

46 You must never kick an animal, or twist or break its tail. You must not lift or drag an animal by its head, horns, feet, tail, fleece (wool) or any other part of its body in any way that will cause it avoidable excitement, pain or suffering.

47 You must not lead or drive animals over any ground or floor on which they are likely to slip or fall (for example, where the ground or floor is slippery because of rain or ice). Where necessary, you should use straw, sand, grit or some similar material to stop the animals slipping.

WASK SCHEDULE 3 - PART III

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ANIMALS DELIVERED OTHER THAN IN CONTAINERS

7. No person shall lift or drag, or cause or permit to be lifted or dragged, any animal by the head, horns, ears, feet, tail, fleece or any other part of its body in such a way as to cause it unnecessary pain or suffering.

The driving of animals

8. No person shall, in any slaughterhouse, knacker's yard or lairage, lead or drive, or cause or permit to be led or driven, any animal over any ground or floor the nature or condition of which is likely to cause the animal to slip or fall.

Summary - handling and moving animals (general)

• You should always handle and move animals calmly, and with as little force and noise as possible.
• When moving animals, you should take advantage of the natural instincts of cattle and sheep to follow a herd leader.
• You should not drive animals from a brightly-lit area into a darker area, and you should not make them cross any shadows.
• Where possible, you should use handling aids for all species which do not need contact with the animal.

51 You must make sure that there are no sharp edges, or anything sticking out along passages, on which animals could injure themselves.

52 A curved approach race is better than a straight one because an animal's natural curiosity encourages it to walk around the curve without any persuasion.

53 Races should be designed so that animals cannot escape from them. The approach race to the stunning pen should have solid sides. This is so that each animal can only see the rear of the animal in front of it, and will not be distracted by what is happening outside the race. The race should not be wide enough for animals to turn around, but there should be enough space for a handler to deal with any emergency (see diagram 9).

WASK SCHEDULE 2

THE CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF SLAUGHTERHOUSES AND KNACKERS' YARDS

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-

(c) there are no sharp edges or protrusions in the slaughterhouse or knacker's yard with which any animal may come into contact

(d) the place of slaughter or killing is sighted in such a way as to minimise handling of the animal at any time up to the point of slaughter or killing;

Summary - passageways and races

• The place where animals are slaughtered must be as close as possible to the lairage.
• Passageways and races should be well lit, to encourage animals to move forward.
• Races should be designed and constructed so that animals cannot escape from them.
• A race designed with a slight upward slope encourages animals to move forward.
• Animals should not be held unnecessarily in a race or restrainer because of delays developing on the slaughter line.
• You should design your race so that, if necessary, you can easily remove animals from the race and take them back to the lairage.

58 Any method of stunning must cause an animal to lose consciousness immediately, and to remain unconscious until its death. You can stun an animal with a mechanical instrument (such as a captive bolt instrument), or with electricity. It is vital that the animal is properly stunned. If not, the animal could regain consciousness during the slaughter process, or be paralysed but still able to feel pain during the slaughter process.

59 As well as stunning-only methods, you can also use stun-kill methods. A stun-kill method is one where the process results in the death of the animal. You can do this with electricity or, for pigs, with carbon dioxide gas (CO ₂).

60 You must not stun adult cattle in a slaughterhouse unless they are confined (kept) in either a stunning pen or a restraining pen (both of which must be in good working order if they are used). This does not apply to animals that must be slaughtered on a vehicle, or in a lairage, because moving them would cause them pain. You must not stun an adult bovine animal (cattle) in a knacker's yard, unless the animal is confined in a stunning pen, or its head is held in such a position that it can be stunned without causing it avoidable excitement, pain or suffering. When captive bolt stunning does not work properly, it is often because the operator does not hold the instrument in the correct position. This is often because the animal moves its head at the last moment, so that the bolt is off target. Cattle stunning pens must be designed to:

• prevent the animal moving too far forwards, sideways or backwards;
• limit movement of the animal's head, so that it can be accurately stunned;
• release the animal's head immediately after it has been stunned; and
• let the person stunning the animal easily reach its forehead.

61 An animal is more likely to move forward into the pen if it is well lit. We recommend that you attach a pusher to the back gate of the pen, to move the animal forward within the pen to the stunning point. A pusher is an attachment that literally pushes the animal from behind to help position it in the pen. Stunning pens must be designed to avoid injuring or distressing the animal confined in them. You should adjust the length and width of the stunning pen for each animal.

62 For sheep, goats, pigs and calves, you should find that automatic restrainers (like those that hold the animal in a V-shaped conveyor - see diagrams 10 and 11), or extra restraint when these animals are held in a stunning pen, will:

• make handling the animals easier; and
• improve stunning accuracy (whether it is done mechanically or electrically).

You should adjust the length and width of the V-shaped conveyor for each animal.

WASK SCHEDULE 5 - PART II

STUNNING OR KILLING OF ANIMALS OTHER THAN ANIMALS REARED FOR FUR

STUNNING

Stunning of animals

3. No person shall 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;

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

Permitted methods of stunning animals

4. No person shall 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.

SCHEDULE 4

RESTRAINT OF ANIMALS BEFORE STUNNING, SLAUGHTER OR KILLING

3. Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph 2 above, no person shall-

(a) in any slaughterhouse, stun, or cause or permit to be stunned, any adult bovine animal, unless at the time it is stunned it is confined in a stunning pen or in a restraining pen which (in either case) is in good working order;

(b) in any knacker's yard, stun, or cause or permit to be stunned, any adult bovine animal, unless at the time it is stunned it is either confined in a stunning pen which is in good working order or its head is securely fastened in such a position as to enable it to be stunned without the infliction of avoidable excitement, pain or suffering;

4. No person shall -

(a) place, or cause or permit to be placed, any adult bovine animal in a stunning pen; or

(b) fasten, or cause or permit to be fastened, the head of any adult bovine animal, unless the person who is to stun the animal is ready to do so as soon as the animal is placed in the stunning pen or its head is fastened.

Summary - restrainers, stunning and stun-kill methods (general)

• Stunning must cause the immediate loss of consciousness in an animal, and it must last until the animal's death.
• Animals must not be left waiting in stunning pens, as this can create avoidable excitement, pain or suffering.
• An animal must not be placed in a stunning pen unless the person who is to carry out the stunning, and the person bleeding, is ready to do so immediately.
• Spare stunning equipment must always be available and ready for use.

69 For instruments which 'fire' on contact, you need to check that the instrument's muzzle is firmly touching the animal's head, and is in the correct position (see paragraph 75). For instruments which are fired by trigger, we recommend that you hold the muzzle of the instrument 10mm away from the animal's head before you shoot. Holding the bolt away from the head will help accelerate the bolt out of the instrument. It will also stop the animal becoming 'spooked' and unsettled by the muzzle touching its head before stunning. It is particularly important to get the position right if the instrument is designed to fire as soon as it touches the head. An instrument with a bolt that is recessed (set back) into the muzzle before it is fired is likely to have a higher bolt speed when it hits the animal than an instrument with the bolt longer than the muzzle. The greater the bolt speed at the point of contact, the greater the amount of energy transferred to the animal's head. The greater the energy transferred (the greater the force with which the bolt hits the animal's skull) and the greater the chance of the animal being properly stunned.

70 If the instrument is not properly maintained, bolt speed can be slower. So, you should strip down and clean the instrument (in line with the manufacturer's instructions) at least at the end of each day's work, even if it has only been used once in that day. You should replace faulty, damaged or worn parts immediately, and regularly give the instrument a complete overhaul.

WASK SCHEDULE 5 - PART II

STUNNING OR KILLING OF ANIMALS OTHER THAN ANIMALS REARED FOR FUR

STUNNING

Specific requirements for stunning by use of a captive-bolt instrument

5.-(1) No person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, a captive-bolt instrument to stun any animal unless-

(a) subject to sub-paragraph (3) below, the instrument is positioned and applied so as to ensure that the projectile enters the cerebral cortex; and

(b) the correct strength of cartridge or other propellant is used, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, to produce an effective stun.

(2) No person shall shoot, or cause or permit to be shot, any bovine animal in the back of the head.

(3) No person shall shoot, or cause or permit to be shot, any sheep or goat in the back of its head, unless the presence of horns prevents use of the top or the front of its head, in which case it may be shot in the back of the head provided that-

(a) the shot is placed immediately behind the base of the horns and aimed towards the mouth-, and

(b) bleeding is commenced within 15 seconds of shooting or the sheep or goat is killed within 15 seconds of shooting in accordance with Part III of this Schedule.

Cattle

Cattle (other than bulls and calves)

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Stunning position - penetrative

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Stunning position - non-penetrative

Bulls

Calves

Pigs

Pigs (other than boars)

Boars

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Stunning position - pigs

Sheep

Hornless (polled) sheep

Horned sheep

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Stunning position - polled sheep

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Stunning position - horned sheep

Goats

You should treat all goats as though they have horns.

Kids and lambs

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Stunning position - goats

Summary - captive bolt stunning

78 Electrical stunning is the most common method of stunning pigs and sheep, and it is also used for stunning calves and goats. Electricity is also used for stun-killing cattle, sheep and pigs.

79 Electricity is used in the stunning and stun-killing processes in two ways:

• effectively stunning (known as electronarcosis) an animal by passing an electric current through its brain; or
• causing immediate unconsciousness, followed by death by cardiac arrest (heart attack) by applying electrodes on the animal's head and back and passing electricity across its brain and heart (known as electrocution).

WASK SCHEDULE 5 - PART II

STUNNING OR KILLING OF ANIMALS OTHER THAN ANIMALS REARED FOR FUR

STUNNING

9. No person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, electrodes to stun any animal individually unless the apparatus-

(a) incorporates a device which-

(i) measures the impedance of the load; and

(ii) prevents operation of the apparatus unless a current can be passed which is sufficient to render an animal of the species being stunned unconscious until it is dead;

b) incorporates an audible or visible device indicating the length of time of its application to an animal; and

(c) is connected to a device indicating the voltage and the current under load, positioned so as to be clearly visible to the operator.

85 You must only use electrical stunning equipment for stunning - or stunning and then killing (as in

stun-kill methods) an animal. You must not use it to goad, catch or paralyse animals so that they can be hoisted and stuck without being properly stunned.

86 You must make sure that an animal does not get an electric shock from the electrodes before they have been applied.

WASK SCHEDULE 4

RESTRAINT OF ANIMALS BEFORE STUNNING, SLAUGHTER OR KILLING

STUNNING

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.

Phases

Physical symptoms of an epileptic fit

Tonic

Animal collapses and becomes rigid

No rhythmic breathing

Head raised

Forelegs extended, and hind legs flexed into the body

Clonic

Muscles gradually relax

Paddling or involuntary kicking (can be severe at times)

Eyeballs roll in their sockets

Bowel or bladder movements (or both)

Excessive salivation

Recovery

Normal rhythmic breathing starts again

Response to painful stimuli

Becomes visually aware

Attempts to stand

Species

Tonic

Clonic

Recovery

Pigs

Sheep

10-20 secs

15-45 secs

30-60 secs

Goats

Cattle

5-20 secs

10-60 secs

45-90 secs

Calves

8-14 secs

8-28 secs

40-70 secs

Summary - electrical stunning and killing

To make sure that the animal is effectively stunned, it is essential that:

• the equipme