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

Certificates of competence

4.—(1) In this Schedule “certificate of competence” means—

(a) a certificate issued under sub-paragraph (2) by a veterinary surgeon authorised for the purpose by the Department (“an authorised veterinary surgeon”); or

(b) a licence granted to the applicant for the purpose of slaughtering animals by the Jewish method by the Rabbinical Commission for the licensing of Shochetim in England and Wales or by the Chief Rabbi in Scotland.

(2) An authorised veterinary surgeon shall issue a certificate of competence if—

(a) having assessed the applicant, the authorised veterinary surgeon is of the opinion that the applicant—

(i) is competent to carry out all the operations mentioned in paragraph 3 in respect of which he is applying for a certificate without causing avoidable pain, excitement or suffering to any animal; and

(ii) has sufficient knowledge of the provisions of all the relevant legislation and of any relevant current code issued under regulation 7 relating to the operations in respect of which he is applying for a certificate;

(b) the applicant is, in the opinion of the authorised veterinary surgeon, a fit and proper person to hold a certificate; and

(c) the applicant is not below the age of 18.

(3) Any person applying for a certificate of competence who has been convicted of any offence mentioned in paragraph 8(b) shall give to the authorised veterinary surgeon written details of any such conviction.

(4) Any certificate of competence issued under sub-paragraph (2) shall specify the matters which it covers, namely—

(a) the relevant operations mentioned in paragraph 3;

(b) the relevant species of animals; and

(c) the relevant equipment or instruments.