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The Farm Animal Welfare Council (fawc) today publishes its Report
Chairman of FAWC, Professor Wathes said "This Report considers the welfare of poultry (and other white meat species) in the last few hours of their lives up to the moment of slaughter or killing. It deals with the experiences of poultry during catching and loading on the farm, the journey to the slaughterhouse, the wait in the lairage, unloading from transport containers, stunning and finally slaughter or killing. Since over 800 million poultry are killed annually in Great Britain, there is a strong moral imperative to ensure that welfare is a prime consideration at all these stages."
"The Report also covers other circumstances in which poultry are killed as well as licensing and training of slaughtermen, legislation and its enforcement and equipment design and approval, since these also affect welfare."
"The Report sets out six principles for humane slaughter and
killing.
i. All personnel involved with slaughter or killing
must be trained, competent and caring
ii. Only those animals
that are fit should be caught, loaded and transported to the
slaughterhouse
iii. Any handling of animals prior to slaughter
must be done with consideration for the animal's
welfare
iv. In the slaughterhouse, only equipment that is fit
for the purpose must be used
v. Prior to slaughter or killing
an animal, either it must be rendered unconscious and insensible
to pain instantaneously or unconsciousness must be induced without
pain or distress
vi. Animals must not recover consciousness
until death ensues.
The responsibilities of slaughtermen and
other workers are grave and the need for training and compassion
is paramount."
"The Council's advice to the Government is based on a wealth of scientific knowledge and practical experience, not only of its members but also of many within the poultry and its allied industries, scientists, veterinarians and others concerned about poultry welfare. I have no doubt at all that implementation of this Report's recommendations will lead to significant improvements in the welfare of poultry at slaughter or killing."
Notes for Editors
1.The Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) is an independent advisory body established by Government in 1979 to keep under review the welfare of farmed animals on agricultural land, at market, in transit and at place of slaughter; and to advise Ministers in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales, of any legislative or other changes that may be necessary.
2.Professor Christopher Wathes was appointed Chairman of FAWC in January 2005. He is Professor of Animal Welfare at the Royal Veterinary College, University of London.
3.All FAWC members serve in a personal capacity and do not represent any organisation with which they may be associated.
4.Copies of FAWC Reports are available from the FAWC Website at the address below. Media approaches should be routed through the Secretariat.
FAWC Secretariat
E-mail:
fawcsecretariat@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Website: http://www.fawc.org.uk
Chairman: Professor Christopher Wathes, BSc, PhD
FAWC website: http://www.fawc.org.uk
