Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996

Specific requirements for stunning by electronarcosis — waterbath stunners

10.  No person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, a water bath stunner to stun any bird unless—

(a)the level of the water in the waterbath has been adjusted in order to ensure that there is good contact with the bird’s head;

(b)the strength and duration of the current used is such that the bird is immediately rendered unconscious and remains so until it is dead;

(c)where poultry are stunned in groups in a waterbath, a voltage sufficient to produce a current strong enough to ensure that every bird is stunned is maintained; and

(d)appropriate measures are taken to ensure that the current passes efficiently, in particular that there are good electrical contacts and the shackle-to-leg contact is kept wet.