The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

1.  These Regulations, which apply to England only, amend the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 (“the 1995 Regulations”). The 1995 Regulations give effect to Council Directive 93/119/EC on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing (OJ No. L 340, 31.12.93, p.21). These Regulations amend Schedules 1, 4, 6 and 9 to the 1995 Regulations.

2.  The amendment to Schedule 1 requires a person whose licence has been suspended or revoked to surrender the licence to the Food Standards Agency.

3.  The amendment to Schedule 4 shortens the time that birds can be suspended before being stunned or killed. This measure does not come into force until 6th January 2005.

4.  The amendments to Schedule 6 remove the requirement that certain animals are not bled within sight of any other such animals.

5.  The amendment to Schedule 9 permits the use of pneumatic or cartridge operated percussive devices producing immediate death for the slaughter or killing of birds for the purpose of disease control.

6.  A Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared and placed in the library of each House of Parliament. Copies can be obtained from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Animal Welfare), 6th Floor, 1A Page Street, London SW1P 4PQ.