Annexes to COM(2008)553 - Protection of animals at the time of killing - Main contents

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dossier	COM(2008)553 - Protection of animals at the time of killing.
document	COM(2008)553
date	September 24, 2009

ANNEX I

LIST OF STUNNING METHODS AND RELATED SPECIFICATIONS

(as referred to in Article 4)

CHAPTER I

Methods

Table 1 — Mechanical methods

No	Name	Description	Conditions of use	Key parameters	Specific requirements for certain methods — Chapter II of this Annex
1	Penetrative captive bolt device	Severe and irreversible damage of the brain provoked by the shock and the penetration of a captive bolt. Simple stunning.	All species. Slaughter, depopulation and other situations.	Position and direction of the shot. Appropriate velocity, exit length and diameter of bolt according to animal size and species. Maximum stun to stick/kill interval(s).	Not applicable.
2	Non-penetrative captive bolt device	Severe damage of the brain by the shock of a captive bolt without penetration. Simple stunning.	Ruminants, poultry, rabbits and hares. Slaughter only for ruminants. Slaughter, depopulation and other situations for poultry, rabbits and hares.	Position and direction of the shot. Appropriate velocity, diameter and shape of bolt according to animal size and species. Strength of the cartridge used. Maximum stun to stick/kill interval(s).	Point 1.
3	Firearm with free projectile	Severe and irreversible damage of the brain provoked by the shock and the penetration of one or more projectiles.	All species. Slaughter, depopulation and other situations.	Position of the shot. Power and calibre of the cartridge. Type of projectile.	Not applicable.
4	Maceration	Immediate crushing of the entire animal.	Chicks up to 72 hours and egg embryos. All situations other than slaughter.	Maximum size of the batch to be introduced. Distance between the blades and speed of rotation. Measure to prevent overloading.	Point 2.
5	Cervical dislocation	Manual or mechanical stretching and twist of the neck provoking cerebral ischemia.	Poultry up to 5 kg live weight. Slaughter, depopulation and other situations.	Not applicable.	Point 3.
6	Percussive blow to the head	Firm and accurate blow to the head provoking severe damage to the brain.	Piglets, lambs, kids, rabbits, hares, fur animals and poultry up to 5 kg live weight. Slaughter, depopulation and other situations.	Force and location of the blow.	Point 3.

Table 2 — Electrical methods

No	Name	Description	Conditions of use	Key parameters	Specific requirements of Chapter II of this Annex
1	Head-only electrical stunning	Exposure of the brain to a current generating a generalised epileptic form on the electro-encephalogram (EEG). Simple stunning.	All species. Slaughter, depopulation and other situations.	Minimum current (A or mA). Minimum voltage (V). Maximum frequency (Hz). Minimum time of exposure. Maximum stun-to-stick/kill interval(s). Frequency of calibration of the equipment. Optimisation of the current flow. Prevention of electrical shocks before stunning. Position and contact surface area of electrodes.	Point 4.
2	Head-to-Body electrical stunning	Exposure of the body to a current generating at the same time a generalised epileptic form on the EEG and the fibrillation or the stopping of the heart. Simple stunning in case of slaughter.	All species. Slaughter, depopulation and other situations.	Minimum current (A or mA). Minimum voltage (V). Maximum frequency (Hz). Minimum time of exposure. Frequency of calibration of the equipment. Optimisation of the current flow. Prevention of electrical shocks before stunning. Position and contact surface area of electrodes. Maximum stun-to-stick interval(s), in case of simple stunning(s).	Point 5.
3	Electrical waterbath	Exposure of the entire body to a current generating a generalised epileptic form on the EEG and possibly the fibrillation or the stopping of the heart through a waterbath. Simple stunning except where frequency is equal to or less than 50 Hz.	Poultry. Slaughter, depopulation and other situations.	Minimum current (A or mA). Minimum voltage (V). Maximum frequency (Hz). Frequency of calibration of the equipment. Prevention of electrical shocks before stunning. Minimising pain at shackling. Optimisation of current flow. Maximum shackle duration before the waterbath. Minimum time of exposure for each animal. Immersion of the birds up to the base of the wings. Maximum stun-to-stick/kill interval(s) for frequency over 50 Hz(s).	Point 6.

Table 3 — Gas methods

No	Name	Description	Conditions of use	Key parameters	Specific requirements of Chapter II of this Annex
1	Carbon dioxide at high concentration	Direct or progressive exposure of conscious animals to a gas mixture containing more than 40 % carbon dioxide. The method may be used in pits, tunnels, containers or building previously sealed. Simple stunning in case of slaughter of pigs.	Pigs, mustelids, chinchillas, poultry except ducks and geese. Slaughter only for pigs. Other situations than slaughter for poultry mustelids, chinchillas, pigs.	Carbon dioxide concentration. Duration of exposure. Maximum stun-to-stick interval(s) in case of simple stunning. Quality of the gas. Temperature of the gas.	Point 7. Point 8.
2	Carbon dioxide in two phases	Successive exposure of conscious animals to a gas mixture containing up to 40 % of carbon dioxide, followed when animals have lost consciousness, by a higher concentration of carbon dioxide.	Poultry Slaughter, depopulation and other situations	Carbon dioxide concentration. Duration of exposure. Quality of the gas. Temperature of the gas.	Not applicable.
3	Carbon dioxide associated with inert gases	Direct or progressive exposure of conscious animals to a gas mixture containing up to 40 % of carbon dioxide associated with inert gases leading to anoxia. The method may be used in pits, bags, tunnels, containers or in buildings previously sealed. Simple stunning for pigs if the duration of exposure to at least 30 % of carbon dioxide is of less than 7 minutes. Simple stunning for poultry if the overall duration of exposure to at least 30 % of carbon dioxide is of less than 3 minutes.	Pigs and poultry. Slaughter, depopulation and other situations.	Carbon dioxide concentration. Duration of exposure. Maximum stun-to-stick/kill interval(s) in case of simple stunning. Quality of the gas. Temperature of the gas. Oxygen concentration.	Point 8.
4	Inert gases	Direct or progressive exposure of conscious animals to a inert gas mixture such as Argon or Nitrogen leading to anoxia. The method may be used in pits, bags, tunnels, containers or in buildings previously sealed. Simple stunning in case of the slaughter of pigs. Simple stunning for poultry if the duration of exposure to anoxia is of less than 3 minutes.	Pigs and poultry. Slaughter, depopulation and other situations.	Oxygen concentration. Duration of exposure. Quality of the gas. Maximum stun-to-stick/kill interval(s) in case of simple stunning. Temperature of the gas.	Point 8.
5	Carbon monoxide (pure source)	Exposure of conscious animals to a gas mixture containing more than 4 % of carbon monoxide.	Fur animals, poultry and piglets. Other situations than slaughter.	Quality of the gas. Carbon monoxide concentration. Duration of exposure. Temperature of the gas.	Points 9.1, 9.2 and 9.3.
6	Carbon monoxide associated with other gases	Exposure of conscious animals to a gas mixture containing more than 1 % of carbon monoxide associated with other toxic gases.	Fur animals, poultry and piglets. Other situations than slaughter.	Carbon monoxide concentration. Duration of exposure. Temperature of the gas. Filtration of the gas produced from engine.	Point 9.

Table 4 — Other methods

No	Name	Description	Conditions of use	Key parameters	Specific requirements of Chapter II of this Annex
1	Lethal injection	Loss of consciousness and sensibility followed by irreversible death induced by the injection of veterinary medicines.	All species. Other situations than slaughter.	Type of injection. Using approved medicines.	Not applicable.

CHAPTER II

Specific requirements for certain methods

1. Non-penetrative captive bolt device

When using this method business operators shall pay attention to avoid the fracture of the skull.

This method shall only be used for ruminants of less than 10 kg of live weight.

2. Maceration

This method shall provide instantaneous maceration and immediate death of the animals. The apparatus shall contain rapidly rotating mechanically operated killing blades or expanded polystyrene projections. The capacity of the apparatus shall be sufficient to ensure that all animals are killed instantaneously, even if they are handled in a large number.

3. Cervical dislocation and percussive blow to the head

These methods shall not be used as routine methods but only where there are no other methods available for stunning.

These methods shall not be used in slaughterhouses except as a back-up method for stunning.

No person shall kill by manual cervical dislocation or percussive blow to the head more than seventy animals per day.

Manual cervical dislocation shall not be used on animals of more than three kg live weight.

4. Head-only electrical stunning

4.1.	When using head-only electrical stunning, electrodes shall span the brain of the animal and be adapted to its size.

4.2.

Head-only electrical stunning shall be carried out in accordance with the minimum currents set out in Table 1.

Table 1 — Minimum currents for head-only electrical stunning

Category of animals	Bovine animals of 6 months or older	Bovine animals less than 6 months	Animals of ovine and caprine species	Animals of porcine species	Chicken	Turkeys
Minimum current	1,28 A	1,25 A	1,00 A	1,30 A	240 mA	400 mA

5. Head-to-body electrical stunning

5.1.   Animals of the ovine, caprine and porcine species.

The minimum currents for head-to-body electrical stunning shall be 1 ampere for sheep and goats and 1,30 amperes for pigs.

5.2.   Foxes

Electrodes shall be applied to the mouth and rectum with a current of a minimum value of 0,3 amperes and a minimum voltage of 110 volts for at least three seconds.

5.3.   Chinchillas

Electrodes shall be applied ear to tail with a current of a minimum value of 0,57 amperes for at least 60 seconds.

6. Electrical waterbath stunning of poultry

6.1.	Animals shall not be shackled if they are too small for the waterbath stunner or if shackling is likely to induce or increase the pain suffered (such as visibly injured animals). In these cases, they shall be killed by an alternative method.

6.2.	Shackles shall be wet before live birds are shackled and exposed to the current. Birds shall be hung by both legs.

6.3.

For animals referred to in Table 2, waterbath stunning shall be carried out in accordance with the minimum currents laid down therein, and animals shall be exposed to that current for a minimum duration of at least four seconds.

Table 2 — Electrical requirements for waterbath stunning equipment

(average values per animal)

Frequency (Hz)	Chickens	Turkeys	Ducks and geese	Quails
< 200 Hz	100 mA	250 mA	130 mA	45 mA
From 200 to 400 Hz	150 mA	400 mA	Not permitted	Not permitted
From 400 to 1 500 Hz	200 mA	400 mA	Not permitted	Not permitted

7. Carbon dioxide at high concentration

In the case of pigs, mustelids and chinchillas, the minimum concentration of 80 % of carbon dioxide shall be used.

8. Carbon dioxide, use of inert gases or a combination of those gas mixtures

Under no circumstances shall gases enter into the chamber or the location where animals are to be stunned and killed in a way that it could create burns or excitement by freezing or lack of humidity.

9. Carbon monoxide (pure source or associated with other gases)

9.1.	Animals shall be kept under visual supervision at all times.

9.2.	They shall be introduced one by one, and it shall be ensured that before the next animal is introduced the previous one is unconscious or dead.

9.3.	Animals shall remain in the chamber until they are dead.

9.4.

Gas produced by an engine specially adapted for the purpose of killing of animals may be used provided that the person responsible for killing has previously verified that the gas used:

(a)	has been suitably cooled;

(b)	has been sufficiently filtered;

(c)	is free from any irritant component or gas.

The engine shall be tested every year before the killing of animals takes place.

9.5.	Animals shall not be placed in the chamber until the minimum concentration of carbon monoxide has been reached.

ANNEX II

LAYOUT, CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPMENT OF SLAUGHTERHOUSES

(as referred to in Article 14)

1. All lairage facilities

1.1.	Ventilation systems shall be designed, constructed and maintained so that the welfare of the animals is constantly ensured, taking into account the expected range of weather conditions.

1.2.	Where mechanical means of ventilation are required, provision shall be made for an alarm and emergency back-up facilities in the event of breakdown.

1.3.	Lairage facilities shall be designed and constructed so as to minimise the risk of injuries to the animals and the occurrence of sudden noises.

1.4.	Lairage facilities shall be designed and constructed so as to facilitate the inspection of the animals. Adequate fixed or portable lighting shall be provided to enable the inspection of animals at any time.

2. Lairage facilities for animals not delivered in containers

2.1.

Pens, passageways and races shall be designed and constructed to allow:

(a)	the animals to move freely in the required direction using their behavioural characteristics and without distraction;

(b)	pigs or sheep to walk side by side, except in the case of races leading to the restraining equipment.

2.2.	Ramps and bridges shall be equipped with lateral protection to ensure that animals cannot fall off.

2.3.	The water supply system in pens shall be designed, constructed and maintained so as to allow all animals at all times access to clean water without being injured or limited in their movements.

2.4.	When a waiting pen is used, it shall be constructed with a level floor and solid sides, between the holding pens and the race leading to the point of stunning and designed so that animals cannot be trapped or trampled.

2.5.	Floors shall be built and maintained in such a way as to minimise the risk of animals slipping, falling or injuring their feet.

2.6.

Where slaughterhouses have field lairages without natural shelter or shade, appropriate protection from adverse weather conditions shall be provided. In the absence of such protection, these lairages shall not be used under adverse weather conditions. In the absence of a natural source of water, drinking facilities shall be provided.

3. Restraining equipment and facilities

3.1.

Restraining equipment and facilities shall be designed, built and maintained to:

(a)	optimise the application of the stunning or killing method;

(b)	prevent injury or contusions to the animals;

(c)	minimise struggle and vocalisation when animals are restrained;

(d)	minimise the time of restraint.

3.2.	For animals of bovine species, restraining boxes used in conjunction with a pneumatic captive bolt shall be fitted with a device that restricts both the lateral and vertical movement of the head of the animal.

4. Electrical stunning equipment (except waterbath stunning equipment)

4.1.

Electrical stunning equipment shall be fitted with a device which displays and records the details of the electrical key parameters for each animal stunned. The device shall be placed so as to be clearly visible to the personnel and shall give a clearly visible and audible warning if the duration of exposure falls below the required level. These records shall be kept for at least one year.

4.2.	Automatic electrical stunning equipment associated to a restrainer shall deliver a constant current.

5. Waterbath stunning equipment

5.1.	Shackle lines shall be designed and positioned in such a way that birds suspended on them are clear of any obstruction and that disturbance to the animals is reduced to a minimum.

5.2.	Shackle lines shall be designed in such a way that birds suspended on them will not remain hung conscious longer than one minute. However ducks, geese and turkeys shall not remain hung conscious longer than two minutes.

5.3.	The whole length of the shackle line up to the point of entry into the scald tank shall be easily accessible in case animals have to be removed from the slaughter line.

5.4.	The size and shape of the metal shackles shall be appropriate to the size of the legs of poultry to be slaughtered so that electrical contact can be secured without causing pain.

5.5.	Waterbath stunning equipment shall be equipped with an electrically insulated entry ramp and designed and maintained so as to prevent overflow of water at the entrance.

5.6.	The waterbath shall be designed in such a way that the level of immersion of the birds can be easily adapted.

5.7.	The electrodes in waterbath stunning equipment shall extend the full length of the waterbath. The waterbath shall be designed and maintained in such a way that when the shackles pass over the water they are in continuous contact with the earthed rubbing bar.

5.8.	A system in contact with the breast of the birds shall be built from the point of shackling until the birds enter the waterbath stunner in order to calm them down.

5.9.	Access to the waterbath stunning equipment shall be available to allow the bleeding of birds that have been stunned and remain in the waterbath as a result of a breakdown or delay in the line.

5.10.

Waterbath stunning equipment shall be fitted with a device which displays and records the details of the electrical key parameters used. These records shall be kept for at least one year.

6. Gas stunning equipment for pigs and poultry

6.1.

Gas stunners, including conveyor belts, shall be designed and built to:

(a)	optimise the application of stunning by gas;

(b)	prevent injury or contusions to the animals;

(c)	minimise struggle and vocalisation when animals are restrained.

6.2.

The gas stunner shall be equipped to measure continuously, display and record the gas concentration and the time of exposure, and to give a clearly visible and audible warning if the concentration of gas falls below the required level. The device shall be placed so as to be clearly visible to the personnel. These records shall be kept for at least one year.

6.3.	The gas stunner shall be designed in a manner that, even at the maximum permitted throughput, the animals are able to lie down without being stacked on each other.

ANNEX III

OPERATIONAL RULES FOR SLAUGHTERHOUSES

(as referred to in Article 15)

1. The arrival, moving and handling of animals

1.1.

The welfare conditions of each consignment of animals shall be systematically assessed by the animal welfare officer or a person reporting directly to the animal welfare officer upon arrival in order to identify the priorities, in particular by determining which animals have specific welfare needs and the corresponding measures to be taken.

1.2.

Animals shall be unloaded as quickly as possible after arrival and subsequently slaughtered without undue delay.

Mammals, except rabbits and hares, which are not taken directly upon arrival to the place of slaughter, shall be lairaged.

Animals which have not been slaughtered within 12 hours of their arrival shall be fed, and subsequently given moderate amounts of food at appropriate intervals. In such cases, the animals shall be provided an appropriate amount of bedding or equivalent material which guarantees a level of comfort appropriate to the species and the number of animals concerned. This material shall guarantee an efficient drainage or ensure adequate absorption of urine and faeces.

1.3.

Containers in which animals are transported shall be kept in good order, handled with care, in particular if they have a perforated or flexible bottom, and:

(a)	shall not be thrown, dropped, or knocked over;

(b)	where possible, shall be loaded and unloaded horizontally and mechanically;

Whenever possible animals shall be unloaded individually.

1.4.

When containers are put one on top of the other, the necessary precautions shall be taken:

(a)	to limit urine and faeces falling on the animals placed underneath;

(b)	to ensure stability of the containers;

(c)	to ensure that ventilation is not impeded.

1.5.

For the purpose of slaughter, unweaned animals, lactating dairy animals, females having given birth during the journey or animals delivered in containers shall be given priority over other types of animal. If this is not possible, arrangements shall be made so as to relieve them from their suffering, in particular by:

(a)	milking dairy animals at intervals of not more than 12 hours;

(b)	providing appropriate conditions for suckling and the welfare of the newborn animal in the case of a female having given birth;

(c)	providing water in the case of animals delivered in containers.

1.6.	Mammals, except rabbits and hares, which are not taken directly to the place of slaughter after being unloaded, shall have drinking water available to them from appropriate facilities at all times.

1.7.	A steady supply of animals for stunning and killing shall be ensured in order to prevent animal handlers rushing animals from the holding pens.

1.8.

It shall be prohibited to:

(a)	strike or kick the animals;

(b)	apply pressure to any particularly sensitive part of the body in such a way as to cause animals avoidable pain or suffering;

(c)	lift or drag the animals by the head, ears, horns, legs, tail or fleece, or handle them in such a way as to cause them pain or suffering; however, the prohibition on lifting animals by their legs shall not apply to poultry, rabbits and hares;

(d)	use prods or other implements with pointed ends;

(e)	twist, crush or break the tails of animals or grasp the eyes of any animal.

1.9.

The use of instruments which administer electric shocks shall be avoided as far as possible. In any case, such instruments shall only be used for adult bovine animals and adult pigs which refuse to move, and only when they have room ahead of them in which to move. The shocks shall last no longer than one second, be adequately spaced and shall only be applied to the muscles of the hindquarters. Shocks shall not be used repeatedly if the animal fails to respond.

1.10.

Animals shall not be tied by the horns, antlers or nose rings and their legs shall not be tied together. When animals need to be tied, ropes, tethers or other means used shall be:

(a)	strong enough not to break;

(b)	such as to allow the animals, if necessary, to lie down and to eat and drink;

(c)	designed in such a way as to eliminate any danger of strangulation or injury, and so as to allow animals to be quickly released.

1.11.

Animals which are unable to walk shall not be dragged to the place of slaughter, but shall be killed where they lie.

2. Additional rules for mammals in lairage (except for rabbits and hares)

2.1.	Each animal shall have enough space to stand up, lie down and, except for cattle kept individually, turn around.

2.2.	Animals shall be kept securely in the lairage and care shall be taken to prevent them from escaping and to protect them from predators.

2.3.	For each pen it shall be indicated with a visible sign the date and time of arrival and, except for cattle kept individually, the maximum number of animals to be kept.

2.4.	Every day that the slaughterhouse operates, before any animal arrives, isolation pens for animals that require specific care shall be prepared and kept ready for immediate use.

2.5.	The condition and state of health of the animals in a lairage shall be regularly inspected by the animal welfare officer or a person having appropriate competence.

3. Bleeding of animals

3.1.	Where one person is responsible for the stunning, shackling, hoisting and bleeding of animals, that person shall carry out all those operations consecutively on one animal before carrying out any of them on another animal.

3.2.

In case of simple stunning or slaughter in accordance with Article 4(4), the two carotid arteries or the vessels from which they arise shall be systematically severed. Electrical stimulation shall only be performed once the unconsciousness of the animal has been verified. Further dressing or scalding shall only be performed once the absence of signs of life of the animal has been verified.

3.3.	Birds shall not be slaughtered by means of automatic neck cutters unless it can be ascertained whether or not the neck cutters have effectively severed both blood vessels. When neck cutters have not been effective the bird shall be slaughtered immediately.

ANNEX IV

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR EXAMINATION OF COMPETENCE

(as referred to in Article 21)

Slaughter operations listed in Article 7(2)

Subjects for examination of competence

All operations listed in Article 7(2)(a) to (g).

Animal behaviour, animal suffering, consciousness and sensibility, stress in animals.

(a)	the handling and care of animals before they are restrained;

Practical aspects of handling and restraining animals.

Knowledge of manufacturers’ instructions on the type of restraint equipments used in case of mechanical restraint

(b)	the restraint of animals for the purpose of stunning or killing;

(c)	the stunning of animals;

Practical aspects of stunning techniques and knowledge of manufacturers’ instructions on the type of stunning equipments used.

Back-up stunning and/or killing methods.

Basic maintenance and cleaning of stunning and/or killing equipment.

(d)	the assessment of effective stunning;

Monitoring the effectiveness of stunning.

Back-up stunning and/or killing methods.

(e)	the shackling or hoisting of live animals;

Practical aspects of handling and restraining animals.

Monitoring the effectiveness of stunning.

(f)	the bleeding of live animals;

Monitoring the effectiveness of stunning and the absence of signs of life.

Back-up stunning and/or killing methods.

Appropriate use and maintenance of bleeding knives.

(g)	the slaughtering in accordance with Article 4(4);

Appropriate use and maintenance of bleeding knives.

Monitoring the absence of signs of life.

Killing operations listed in Article 7(3)	Subjects for examination of competence
the killing of fur animals.	Practical aspects of handling and restraining animals. Practical aspects of stunning techniques and knowledge of manufacturers’ instructions on stunning equipments. Back-up stunning and/or killing methods. Monitoring the effectiveness of stunning and confirmation of death. Basic maintenance and cleaning of stunning and/or killing equipment.