The Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015

Restraint of adult bovine animals

3.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), no person may kill an adult bovine animal in a slaughterhouse in accordance with religious rites without prior stunning unless the animal is individually restrained in an upright position in a restraining pen which has been approved in writing by the competent authority and which the competent authority is satisfied has been installed in such a manner as to ensure that it will operate efficiently.

(2) Approval may not be granted by the competent authority under sub-paragraph (1) unless the competent authority is satisfied that the pen is of such a size and design, and is able to be operated, so as to protect an adult bovine animal from avoidable pain, suffering, agitation, injuries or contusions while confined in it or while entering it and, in particular, unless the competent authority is satisfied that the pen—

(a) contains an effective means of restraining a bovine animal confined in it (including a suitable head restraint for that purpose);

(b) contains means of support which will take the weight of a bovine animal during and following killing in it;

(c) permits one bovine animal at a time to be confined in it without discomfort; and

(d) prevents any substantial movement of a bovine animal forwards, backwards or sideways once it has been placed in position for killing.

(3) A restraining pen approved under paragraph 3 of Schedule 12 to the 1995 Regulations will, on the coming into force of these Regulations, become an approved restraining pen for the purposes of sub-paragraphs (1) and (2).