Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 of 24 September 2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing (Text with EEA relevance) (c. 1099)

ANNEX I U.K. LIST OF STUNNING METHODS AND RELATED SPECIFICATIONS (as referred to in Article 4)

CHAPTER II U.K. Specific requirements for certain methods

1. Non-penetrative captive bolt device U.K.

[F1 1.1.] When using this method business operators shall pay attention to avoid the fracture of the skull. U.K.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Annex 1 Ch. 2 point 1 renumbered as Annex 1 Ch. 2 points 1.1 and 1.2 (E.) (3.2.2022) by The Protection of Animals at the Time of Killing (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/33), regs. 1(b), 2(3)(a)

[F1 1.2.] [F2 Except as permitted by points 1.3 and 1.4] this method shall only be used for [F3 ruminants of less than 10 kg of live weight.] [F3 simple stunning of— U.K.

(a)

poultry, rabbits, hares; or

(b)

ruminants of less than 10kg of live weight].

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in Annex 1 Ch. 2 point 1.2 inserted (E.) (3.2.2022) by The Protection of Animals at the Time of Killing (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/33), regs. 1(b), 2(3)(b)(i)

F3 Annex 1 Ch. 2 point 1.2(a)(b) and words substituted for words (E.) (3.2.2022) by The Protection of Animals at the Time of Killing (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/33), regs. 1(b), 2(3)(b)(ii)

[F4 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.

Textual Amendments

F4 Annex 1 Ch. 2 points 1.3, 1.4 inserted (E.) (3.2.2022) by The Protection of Animals at the Time of Killing (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/33), regs. 1(b), 2(3)(c)

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. Maceration U.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 head U.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 stunning U.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 stunning U.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. Foxes U.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. Chinchillas U.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 poultry U.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 concentration U.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 mixtures U.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.

[F5 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.

Textual Amendments

F5 Inserted by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/723 of 16 May 2018 amending Annexes I and II to Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing as regards the approval of low atmospheric pressure stunning (Text with EEA relevance).