DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (16/09) issued by
COI News Distribution Service. 27 January 2009
A proposal that
will ensure all animals across Europe are protected at the time of
slaughter will be subject to comprehensive consultation Farming
Minister Jane Kennedy said today.
The EU proposal focuses on ensuring there's a level playing
field with respect to welfare standards for animals killed in a
slaughterhouse, on a farm or for disease management purposes and
that they're spared avoidable suffering. The proposal covers
all animals including poultry and fish, but exclude reptiles and amphibians.
Also under the proposal, all animals except for fish would need
to be killed by a method that leads to instant death or death
after stunning. However, the proposal would include an exemption
to allow slaughter to be carried out in accordance with religious
rites without prior stunning, in line with current practice in the UK.
Ms Kennedy said:
"Sending animals to slaughter is an understandably emotive
issue. It's important there are good regulations in place to
protect animals and defend their welfare throughout their lives.
"These proposals will ensure that any animal being killed on
farm, in a slaughterhouse, or for disease purposes across Europe
will be spared any avoidable pain or distress at the time of
slaughter and that British farmers, who are already applying high
standards of welfare, are competing on a level playing field."
The proposed regulation will cover stunning and killing methods,
the construction layout and operation methods for slaughterhouses,
as well as allow businesses to tailor their own standard operation
procedures to suit their individual circumstances.
Notes to editors
1. Full details of the consultation can be viewed at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/slaughter/
2. The welfare of animals at slaughter or killing is currently
protected by Directive 93/119. This has been implemented in
England by the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing)
Regulations 1995 and parallel legislation in Northern Ireland,
Scotland and Wales. The proposed Regulation will be directly
applicable in all Member States and will replace the current EU
and domestic legislative framework.
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