CHAPTER IIIADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO SLAUGHTERHOUSES
Article 15Handling and restraining operations at slaughterhouses
1
Business operators shall ensure that the operational rules for slaughterhouses set out in Annex III are complied with.
2
Business operators shall ensure that all animals that are killed in accordance with Article 4(4) without prior stunning are individually restrained; ruminants shall be mechanically restrained.
Systems restraining bovine animals by inversion or any unnatural position shall not be used except in the case of animals slaughtered in accordance with Article 4(4) and provided that they are fitted with a device that restricts both the lateral and vertical movement of the head of the animal and are adjustable to be adapted to the size of the animal.
3
The following methods of restraint shall be prohibited:
a
suspending or hoisting conscious animals;
b
mechanical clamping or tying of the legs or feet of animals;
c
severing the spinal cord, such as by the use of a puntilla or dagger;
d
the use of electric currents to immobilise the animal that do not stun or kill it under controlled circumstances, in particular, any electric current application that does not span the brain.
However, points (a) and (b) shall not apply to the shackles used for poultry.
F14
To take account of scientific and technical progress the appropriate authority may by regulations amend Annex 3.
F25
The Appropriate Minister may publish guidelines from time to time relating to the implementation of the rules set out in Annex 3.