The Slaughter of Animals (Humane Conditions) Regulations 1990

Conditions to be observed in connection with the confinement and treatment of animals awaiting slaughter

13.—(1) No person shall, in a slaughterhouse, knacker’s yard or lairage,—

(a) hit, prod, or handle an animal in a manner which is likely to cause it any unnecessary pain or unnecessary distress;

(b) lead or drive any animal over any ground or floor the nature or condition of which is likely to cause the animal to slip or fall;

(c) lift or drag an animal by the head, feet, tail or by any other part of its body in a manner which is likely to cause the animal any unnecessary pain or unnecessary distress;

(d) lift a sheep off the ground by its fleece;

(e) subject to paragraph (2) below, use any instrument which is capable of inflicting an electric shock to control any animal.

(2) The prohibition in paragraph (1)(e) above shall not apply to the use of an instrument mentioned in that paragraph on the hindquarters of any cattle or adult pigs which are refusing to move forward when there is space for them to do so.