CHAPTER IIU.K.Specific requirements for certain methods
1.Non-penetrative captive bolt deviceU.K.
[1.1.] When using this method business operators shall pay attention to avoid the fracture of the skull.U.K.
[1.2.] [Except as permitted by points 1.3 and 1.4] this method shall only be used for [ruminants of less than 10 kg of live weight.] [simple stunning of—U.K.
(a)
poultry, rabbits, hares; or
(b)
ruminants of less than 10kg of live weight].
[1.3.This method may be used for killing—U.K.
(a)
piglets of less than 10kg live weight;
(b)
lambs of less than 6kg live weight; or
(c)
kids of less than 4kg live weight.
1.4.Where this method is used for killing under point 1.3, it may not be used with a device which generates a kinetic energy less than that set out in Table 1a.U.K.
Table 1a – Minimum kinetic energy
Category of animals | Minimum kinetic energy for propulsion method |
---|
Piglets of less than 10kg live weight | 27.7 Joules |
Lambs of less than 6kg live weight | 107 Joules |
Kids of less than 4kg live weight | 27.8 Joules] |
2.MacerationU.K.
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 headU.K.
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 stunningU.K.
4.1.When using head-only electrical stunning, electrodes shall span the brain of the animal and be adapted to its size.U.K.
4.2.Head-only electrical stunning shall be carried out in accordance with the minimum currents set out in Table 1.U.K.
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 | 1,0 A | 1,3 A | 240 mA | 400 mA |
5.Head-to-body electrical stunningU.K.
5.1.Animals of the ovine, caprine and porcine species.U.K.
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.FoxesU.K.
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.ChinchillasU.K.
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 poultryU.K.
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.U.K.
6.2.Shackles shall be wet before live birds are shackled and exposed to the current. Birds shall be hung by both legs.U.K.
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.U.K.
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 concentrationU.K.
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 mixturesU.K.
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)U.K.
9.1.Animals shall be kept under visual supervision at all times.U.K.
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.U.K.
9.3.Animals shall remain in the chamber until they are dead.U.K.
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:U.K.
(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.U.K.
[10. Low atmospheric pressure stunning U.K.
10.1. During the first phase, the decompression rate shall not be greater than equivalent to a reduction in pressure from standard sea level atmospheric pressure 760 to 250 Torr for a period of not less than 50 seconds. U.K.
10.2. During a second phase, a minimum standard sea level atmospheric pressure of 160 Torr shall be reached within the following 210 seconds. U.K.
10.3. The pressure time curve shall be adjusted to ensure that all birds are irreversibly stunned within the cycle time. U.K.
10.4. The chamber shall be leak tested and pressure gauges calibrated before each operational session and not less than daily. U.K.
10.5. Records of absolute vacuum pressure, time of exposure, temperature and humidity shall be kept for at least one year.] U.K.