SCHEDULE 3ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SLAUGHTERING ANIMALS IN ACCORDANCE WITH RELIGIOUS RITES

PART 2SHEEP, GOATS AND BOVINE ANIMALS

Handling of sheep, goats and bovine animals during slaughter6

1

The business operator and any person engaged in the killing of a sheep, goat or bovine animal in accordance with religious rites without prior stunning shall ensure that—

a

it is not placed in restraining equipment unless the person who is to carry out the slaughter is ready to make the incision immediately after it is placed in the equipment; and

b

appropriate back-up stunning equipment is kept close to the restraining equipment for use in case of emergency and is immediately used where the animal is subjected to any avoidable pain, suffering or agitation or has any injuries or contusions.

2

The business operator and any person engaged in the slaughter of a sheep, goat or bovine animal in accordance with religious rites without prior stunning must ensure that where it has not been stunned before bleeding, it is not shackled, hoisted or moved in any way until it is unconscious and in any event not before the expiry of—

a

in the case of a sheep or a goat, a period of not less than 20 seconds; and

b

in the case of a bovine animal, a period of not less than 30 seconds,

after it has been bled in the manner described in paragraph 5.