EU
Slaughter Regulation
Summary Description
Sets minimum rules for the protection of animals during their killing (slaughter, depopulation, emergency killing).
Topics
Species
Farmed animals
Jurisdiction
EU
Sub-Jurisdiction
N/A
Type of Act
Legislation
Status
In force
Legal Value
Binding
Date Enacted
2009
Date Updated
June, 2023
Official Citation
Council Regulation 1099/2009 of 24 September 2009 on the Protection of Animals at the Time of Killing, 2009 O.J. (L 303) 1 - 30 (E.U.)
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Establishes a list of lawful killing practice per type of killing (mechanical, electrical, gaseous) animal, and purpose.
- Imposes checks on loss of consciousness of animals.
- Requires training of handlers who conduct the killing of animals and the presence of an "animal welfare officer" in slaughterhouses.
Weaknesses
- Although the scope of the regulation includes aquatic animals, none of the provisions in the regulation are applicable to them. There are no specific standards for aquatic animals.
- Allows all common killing practices. The Regulation does not implement scientific opinions by the European Food Safety Authority, which recommended against CO2 stunning and electrical water bath.
- Allows the slaughter without stunning of animals for religious purposes.
- Has an extra-territorial effect: the method of production of all meat imported to the EU must comply with the standards set in the Regulation.
Related Laws/Policies
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