No C 314/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 5. 12. 91 
Proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter 
or killing 
(91/C 314/10) 
COM(91) 136 final 
(Submitted by the Commission on 25 November 1991) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, and in particular Article 43 
thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European 
Parliament, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and 
Social Committee, 
Whereas Council Directive 74/577/EEC (*) established 
rules on the stunning of animals before slaughter; 
Whereas the European Convention for the Protection of 
Animals for Slaughter was approved on behalf of the 
Community by Council Decision 88/306/EEC (2); 
whereas the scope of the Convention is wider than 
existing Community rules on the matter; 
Whereas national laws concerning the protection of 
animals at the time of slaughter or killing have an impact 
on the conditions of competition and accordingly on the 
operation of the common market in agricultural 
products; 
Whereas there is, therefore, a need to establish common 
minimum standards for the protection of animals at the 
time of slaughter or killing in order to ensure rational 
development of production and to facilitate the 
completion of the internal market in animals and animal 
products; 
Whereas at the time of slaughter or killing animals 
should be spared any avoidable pain or suffering; 
Whereas, however, it is necessary to allow for technical 
and scientific trials to be carried out and to take account 
of the particular requirements of certain religious rites; 
(') OJ No L 316, 26. 11. 1974, p. 10. 
O OJ No L 137, 2. 6. 1988, p. 25. Whereas the rules should also ensure satisfactory 
protection, at the time of slaughter or killing, for animals 
not covered by the Convention; 
Whereas Directive 74/577/EEC should therefore be 
replaced by this Regulation, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 
CHAPTER I 
General provisions 
Article 1 
1. This Regulation shall apply to the movement, 
lairaging, restraint, stunning, slaughter and killing of 
animals for food, skin, fur or other products and for the 
purpose of disease control. 
2. It shall not apply to technical or scientific trials 
relating to the procedures mentioned in paragraph 1, 
carried out under the supervision of the competent 
authority, and shall not affect national provisions 
concerning special methods of slaughter which are 
required for particular religious rites. 
Article 2 
For the purposes of this Regulation the following defi­
nitions shall apply: 
1. slaughterhouse: any premises, including facilities for 
moving or lairaging animals, used for the commercial 
slaughter of animals; 
2. movement: unloading of animals or driving of them 
from unloading platforms, stalls or pens at slaughter­
houses to the premises or place where they are to be 
slaughtered; 
3. lairaging: keeping animals in stalls, pens, covered 
areas or fields at slaughterhouses in order to give 
them the necessary attention (water, fodder, rest) 
before they are slaughtered; 
4. restraint: the application to an animal of any 
procedure designed to restrict its movements in order 
to facilitate stunning or killing; 
5. 12.91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 314/15 
5. stunning: any process which, when applied to an 
animal, rapidly induces a state of unconsciousness 
which lasts until death supervenes; 
6. slaughter: causing the death of an animal by bleeding; 
7. killing: any process which causes the death of an 
animal; 
8. competent authority: means the central authority of a 
Member State responsible for the application of this 
Regulation or any authority to which it has delegated 
that competence. 
Article 3 
Animals shall be spared any avoidable excitement, pain 
or suffering during movement, lairaging, restraint, 
stunning, slaughter or killing. 
CHAPTER II 
Requirements applicable to slaughterhouses 
Article 4 
The design, construction, facilities and equipment of 
slaughterhouses, and their operation, shall be such as to 
ensure compliance with the requirements of this Regu­
lation, in order to spare animals any avoidable 
excitement, pain or suffering. 
Article 5 
1. Solipeds, ruminants, pigs, rabbits and poultry for 
slaughter in slaughterhouses shall be: 
(a) delivered, moved and lairaged in accordance with 
the provisions of Annex A; 
(b) restrained in accordance with the provisions of 
Annex B; 
(c) stunned or killed in accordance with the provisions 
of Annex C; 
(d) bled in accordance with the provisions of Annex D. 
2. The use of the puntilla, hammer or poleaxe is 
prohibited. 
Article 6 
1. Instruments, equipment and installations for 
stunning or killing shall be designed, constructed, main­
tained and used in such a way as to achieve rapid and 
effective stunning or killing in accordance with the 
provisions of this Regulation. They shall be inspected at 
least daily, before use, to ensure that they are in a good 
state of repair. 2. Suitable spare equipment and instruments shall be 
kept at the place of slaughter for emergency use. They 
shall be properly maintained and inspected regularly. 
Article 7 
1. No person shall engage in the movement, lairaging, 
restraint, stunning, slaughter or killing of animals unless 
he or she has the knowledge and skill necessary to 
perform the tasks humanely and efficiently, in 
accordance with the requirements of this Regulation. For 
stunning and killing, the knowledge and skill of the 
person concerned shall be certified by the competent 
authority. 
2. Rules for the application of this Article shall be 
adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in 
Article 17. 
Article 8 
Inspection and supervision of slaughterhouses shall be 
carried out under the responsability of the official veteri­
narian, who shall at all times have free access to all parts 
of slaughterhouses in order to ensure that this Regu­
lation is being complied with. 
CHAPTER III 
Slaughter and killing outside slaughterhouses 
Article 9 
1. Where animals referred to in Article 5 (1) are 
slaughtered outside slaughterhouses, Article 5 (1) (b), 
(c), (d) and (2) shall apply. 
2. Member States may permit derogations from 
paragraph 1 in respect of poultry slaughtered or killed by 
a farmer for consumption on the farm. However, the 
provisions of Article 5 (2) remain applicable. 
3. Where animals referred to in Article 5 (1) are to be 
slaughtered or killed for purposes of disease control, this 
shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of 
Annex E. 
Article 10 
1. Animals farmed for their fur shall be killed in 
accordance with the provisions of Annex F. 
2. Surplus chicks and embryos in hatchery waste shall 
be killed in accordance with the provisions of Annex G. 
No C 314/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 5. 12. 91 
Article 11 
The provisions of Articles 9 and 10 shall not apply in the 
case of an animal which has to be killed immediately for 
emergency reasons. 
Article 12 
An injured or diseased animal shall not be transported 
for slaughter or killing where such transport would cause 
aditional suffering to the animal. 
CHAPTER IV 
Final provisions 
Article 13 
1. If necessary, rules for the protection at the time of 
slaughter or killing of animals other than those referred 
to in Articles 5(1) and 10 shall be adopted in accordance 
with the procedure laid down in Article 17. 
2. The provisions of the Annexes may be amended in 
accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 17. 
Article 14 
1. Commission veterinary experts may in collaboration 
with the competent authorities, to the extent necessary 
for uniform application of this Regulation, carry out 
on-the-spot inspections. The Commission shall inform 
the Member States of the outcome of such inspections. 
2. The Member State on whose territory the 
inspections are carried out shall provide the experts with 
all the assistance required for the accomplishment of 
their task. 
3. Rules for the application of this Article shall be 
adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in 
Article 17. 
Article 15 
Until Community arrangements on imports of food, 
skins, furs and other animal products from third 
countries have been adopted, Member States shall apply 
rules in respect of such imports that must be at least 
equivalent to those laid down by this Regulation. 
Article 16 
The Commission shall be assisted by the Standing 
Veterinary Committee, set up by Council Decision 68/361/EEC O, hereinafter referred to as 'the 
Committee'. 
Article 17 
Where the procedure laid down in this Article is to be 
used, the following rules shall apply: 
The representative of the Commission shall submit to the 
Committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The 
Committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a 
time limit which the chairman may lay down according 
to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a 
vote. 
The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in 
addition, each Member State shall have the right to ask 
to have its position recorded in the minutes. 
The Commission shall take the utmost account of the 
opinion delivered by the Committee. It shall inform the 
Committee of the manner in which its opinion has been 
taken into account. 
Article 18 
1. Member States shall take the appropriate specific 
measures to penalize any infringement of this Regulation 
by natural or legal persons. 
2. In the event of repeated contraventions of this 
Regulation, or of a contravention resulting in severe 
suffering of animals, a Member State may, in addition to 
any other sanction imposed, take measures to prohibit 
the person or persons concerned from engaging in the 
movement, lairaging, restraint, stunning, slaughter or 
killing of animals for an appropriate period. 
Article 19 
Directive 74/577/EEC is hereby repealed, with effect 
from 1 January 1993. 
Article 20 
This Regulation shall enter into force on the 30th day 
following its publication in the Official Journal of the 
European Communities. 
It shall apply from 1 January 1993. 
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and 
directly applicable in all Member States. 
(') OJ No L 255, 19. 10. 1968, p. 23. 
5. 12. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 314/17 
ANNEX A 
DELIVERY, MOVEMENT AND LAIRAGING OF ANIMALS 
I. General requirements 
1. Every slaughterhouse coming into operation after 1 January 1993 shall have suitable equipment and 
facilities available for the purpose of unloading animals from means of transport, and all existing 
slaughterhouses shall have such facilities available before 1 January 1995. 
2. Animals shall be unloaded as soon as possible after arrival. If delay is unavoidable they shall be 
protected from extremes of weather and provided with adequate ventilation. 
3. Animals naturally hostile to each other on account of their species, sex, age or origin shall be 
separated from each other. 
4. Animals shall be protected from adverse weather conditions. If they have been subjected to high 
temperatures in humid weather they shall be cooled by appropriate means. 
5. The condition and state of health of the animals shall be inspected at least every morning and 
evening. 
6. Sick, injured or unweaned animals shall be slaughtered immediately upon arrival at the slaugh­
terhouse. If this is not possible, they shall be separated and shall be slaughtered within two hours. 
Animals which are unable to walk shall not be dragged to the place of slaughter, but shall be killed 
where they lie. 
II. Requirements for animals delivered other than in containers 
1. Equipment for unloading animals shall have flooring which will permit a proper foothold and, if 
necessary, shall be provided with lateral protection. Bridges, ramps and gangways shall have the 
minimum possible incline. Exit ramps for calves and pigs shall not exceed a slope of 20 degrees. 
2. During unloading care shall be taken not to frighten or excite the animals, and to ensure that they 
are not overturned on, and cannot fall from, bridges, ramps or gangways. Animals shall not be 
lifted by the head, horns, ears, feet, tail or fleece. When necessary, they shall be led individually. 
3. Animals shall be moved with care. Passageways shall be so constructed as to minimize the risk of 
injury to animals, and so arranged as to exploit their gregarious tendencies. Instruments shall be 
used solely for guidance, and only for short periods. Instruments which administer electric shocks 
may be used only for bovine animals and pigs which refuse to move, provided that the shocks last 
no more than two seconds, are adequately spaced out and that the animals have room ahead of 
them in which to move; such shocks may be applied only to the muscles of the hindquarters. 
4. Animals shall not be struck on, nor shall pressure be applied to, any particularly sensitive part of 
the body. In particular, animals' tails shall not be curshed, twisted or broken and their eyes shall 
not be grasped. Blows and kicks shall not be inflicted. 
5. Animals shall not be taken to the place of slaughter unless they can be slaughtered immediately. If 
they are not slaughtered immediately on arrival they shall be lairaged. 
6. Slaughterhouses shall be equipped with a sufficient number of pens for lairaging of the animals 
with protection from the effects of adverse weather. 
7. Lairages shall have, in addition to requirements laid down elsewhere in Community rules: 
— floors which minimize the risk of slipping and which do not cause injury to animals in contact 
with them, 
No C 314/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 5. 12. 91 
— adequate ventilation, taking into account the extremes of temperature and humidity which may 
be expected. Where mechanical means of ventilation are required, provision shall be made for 
emergency facilities in the event of breakdown, 
— artificial lighting at a level sufficient to permit inspection of all animals at any time, 
— where necessary, equipment for tethering animals. 
8. Where, in addition to the lairages referred to above, slaughterhouses also have field lairages 
without natural shelter or shade, some form of protection from adverse weather shall be provided. 
Field lairages shall be maintained in such condition as to ensure that animals are not subjected to 
physical, chemical or other health hazards. 
9. Animals which are not taken directly upon arrival to the place of slaughter shall have drinking 
water available to them from appropriate facilities at all times. Animals which have not been 
slaughtered within 12 hours of their arrival shall be fed, and shall subsequently be given moderate 
amounts of food at appropriate intervals. 
10. Animals which are kept for 12 hours or more at a slaughterhouse shall be housed and where 
appropriate tethered, in such a way that they may lie down without difficulty. Where animals are 
not tethered, food shall be provided in a way which will permit the animals to feed undisturbed. 
III. Requirements for animals delivered in containers 
1. Containers in which animals are transported shall be handled with care, and shall not be thrown, 
dropped or knocked over. Where possible, they shall be loaded and unloaded horizontally and 
mechanically. 
2. Animals delivered in containers with flexible or perforated bottoms shall be unloaded with 
particular care in order to avoid injury. Where appropriate, animals shall be unloaded from the 
containers individually. 
3. Animals which have been transported in containers shall be slaughtered as soon as possible; 
otherwise they shall be watered and fed in accordance with the provisions of point II (9). If they are 
not slaughtered immediately, the animals shall be protected from adverse weather and provided 
with adequate ventilation. 
ANNEX B 
RESTRAINT OF ANIMALS 
1. Animals shall be restrained in an appropriate manner to facilitate their slaughter, and in such a way as 
to spare them all avoidable pain, suffering, agitation, injury or contusions. 
2. Animals' legs shall not be tied, and animals shall not be suspended before stunning or killing Poultry 
may, however, be suspended for slaughtering provided that stunning or killing takes place directly after 
suspension. 
3. Where animals are stunned or killed by mechanical or electrical means applied to the head, they shall be 
restrained individually in such a position that the equipment can be applied and operated easily, 
accurately and for the appropriate time. In the case of solipeds and cattle, suitable means shall be used 
to restrict the movement of the head. 
4. In the case of poultry suspended on a moving line, measures shall be taken to ensure that the birds 
arrive at the stunning point in a sufficiently relaxed state to allow stunning to be carried out effectively. 
5. Electrical stunning equipment shall not be used as a means of restraint or immobilization. 
5. 12. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 314/19 
i, 
ANNEX C 
STUNNING OR KILLING OF ANIMALS 
I. Permitted methods 
1. Captive bolt or free bullet. 
2. Concussion. 
3. Electronarcosis. 
4. Exposure to carbon dioxide. 
The methods permitted for each species are: 
Solipeds 
Deer 
Cattle 
Sheep/Goats 
Pigs 
Poultry 
Rabbits 1 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 2 
x 0) 
X 3 
x 0 
X 
X 
X 
X 4 
X 
(') Only for cattle over eight months old 
(2) Only with simultaneous cardiac arrest 
II. Specific requirements 
1. Captive bolt or free bullet 
A. Instruments shall be positioned so as to ensure that the projectile enters the cerebral cortex. In 
particular, it shall be prohibited to shoot cattle in the poll position. Sheep and goats may be shot 
in the poll position if the presence of horns prevents use of the crown position. In such cases the 
shot shall be placed immediately behind the base of the horns and aimed towards the mouth, and 
bleeding shall commence within 15 seconds of shooting. 
B. When using a captive bolt instrument, the operator shall check to ensure that the bolt retracts to 
its full extent after each shot. If it does not so retract, the instrument shall not be used again until 
it has been repaired. 
2. Concussion 
This shall only be permitted using a mechanically-operated instrument which administers a blow to 
the skull. The operator shall ensure that the instrument is applied to the proper position and that the 
correct strength of cartridge is used, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, to produce 
an effective stun without fracture of the skull. 
No C 314/20 Official Journal of the European Communities 5. 12. 91 
3. Electronarkosis 
A. Electrodes shall be placed so that they span the brain and, if it is required in addition to cause 
cardiac arrest, the heart. In the case of waterbath stunners for poultry, the head shall be 
immersed. 
B. Where animals are stunned or killed individually, the apparatus shall: 
(a) incorporate a device which measures the impedance of the load and prevents operation of the 
apparatus if the minimum required current cannot be passed; 
(b) incorporate an audible or visible device indicating the length of time of its application to an 
animal; 
(c) be connected to a device indicating the voltage and the current under load, positioned so as 
to be clearly visible to the operator. 
C. The minimum root mean square (rms) current level during stunning shall be for: 
— adult cattle, 2,5 amp, 
— pigs, 1,3 amp, 
— calves, sheep and goats, 1,0 amp, 
— rabbits, 0,3 amp. 
In all cases, the correct current level shall be attained within one second and maintained for at 
least three seconds. 
D. Where broiler chickens are stunned or killed in groups in a water bath, a voltage sufficient to 
produce a minimum current of 100 milliamps per bird shall be maintained. The birds shall be in 
contact with the current for at least four seconds. For other poultry, the current shall be such as 
to ensure that unconsciousness occurs immediately and lasts until the animal has been killed by 
bleeding. 
E. Appropriate measures, such as removing excess wool or wetting the skin or, in the case of 
poultry, the shackle-to-leg contact, shall be taken to ensure good electrical contact. 
F. Water baths for poultry shall be adequate in size and depth for the type of bird being 
slaughtered, and shall not overflow at the entrance. The electrode which is immersed in the water 
shall extend the length of the waterbath. 
4. Exposure to carbon dioxide 
A. The concentration of carbon dioxide for stunning shall be at least 70 % by volume. 
B. The chamber in which pigs are exposed to the gas, and the equipment used for conveying the 
pigs through it, shall be designed, constructed, and maintained in such a way as to avoid injury 
to the pigs and to avoid compression of the chest. Adequate lighting shall be provided in the 
conveyor and the chamber, to allow pigs to see other pigs or their surroundings. 
C. The chamber shall be fitted with devices for measuring the gas concentration at the point of 
maximum exposure and for giving a clearly visible and audible warning if the concentration of 
carbon dioxide falls below the required level. 
5. 12.91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 314/21 
D. Pigs shall be placed in individual or double pens or containers and shall be conveyed into the gas 
within 30 seconds. They shall be conveyed as rapidly as possible from the entrance to the point of 
maximum concentration of the gas and shall be exposed to it for long enough to ensure that they 
are dead, or at least remain unconscious until they have been killed by bleeding. 
ANNEX D 
BLEEDING OF ANIMALS 
1. For animals which have been stunned, bleeding shall be started as soon as possible. In the case of 
stunning by captive bolt or free bullet, bleeding or pithing shall be started within one minute after 
stunning. 
When other stunning methods are used bleeding shall be started within 20 seconds after stunning. 
2. All animals shall be bled by incising both carotid arteries or the vessels from which they arise. However, 
when the stunning method used causes cardiac arrest, the incision of all of these vessels shall not be 
obligatory, but in all cases at least one carotid artery shall be incised. 
3. After incision of the blood vessels, no further dressing procedures shall be performed on the animals for 
at least 30 seconds, and in any case until all brain-stem reflexes have ceased. 
ANNEX E 
KILLING METHODS FOR DISEASE CONTROL 
I. Permitted methods 
1. Any method permitted in accordance with Annex C. 
2. Injection of an overdose of a drug with anaesthetic properties, which causes an immediate loss of 
consciousness and death. This method is permitted for all species of animals. 
3. Exposure to gas which, when inhaled, induces deep general anaesthesia and ultimately and certainly 
causes death. This method is permitted only for poultry. The use of engine exhaust gases is 
forbidden. 
II. General requirements 
1. If methods are used which do not cause immediate death (for example captive bolt shooting), 
measures shall be taken to kill the animals as soon as possible and in any case before they recover 
consciousness. 
2. No other activities with the animals shall start until the competent authority has ensured that the 
animals are dead. 
No C 314/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 5. 12.91 
ANNEX F 
METHODS OF KILLING FUR ANIMALS 
I. Permitted methods 
1. Mechanically-operated instruments which penetrate the brain. 
2. Injection of an overdose of a drug with anaesthetic properties. 
3. Electro-narcosis with cardiac arrest. 
4. Exposure to carbon monoxide. 
5. Exposure to chloroform. 
The methods permitted for each species are: 
Mustelids 
(in particular mink and 
polecats) 
Foxes 
Chinchilla 
Coypu 1 
X 
X 
X 
X 2 
X 
X 
X 
X 3 
X 4 
X 
X 5 
X 
II. Specific requirements 
1. Mechanically-operated instruments which penetrate the brain 
A. Instruments shall be positioned so as to ensure that the projectile enters the cerebral cortex. 
B. This method is permitted only if it is followed by immediate bleeding. 
2. Injection of an overdose of a drug with anaesthetic properties 
Only those anaesthetics shall be used and only that dose and application which cause immediate loss 
of consciousness followed by death. 
3. Electronarcosis with cardiac arrest 
A. Electrodes shall be placed so that they span the brain and the heart. 
B. The minimum current level used shall lead to immediate loss of consciousness and cardiac arrest. 
Where electrodes are applied to the mouth and rectum, a minimum root mean square current of 
0,3 amps shall be applied for at least three seconds. 
4. Exposure to carbon monoxide 
A. The chamber in which the animals are exposed to the gas shall be designed, constructed and 
maintained in such a way as to avoid injury to the animals and shall allow supervision of the 
animals. 
B. The animals shall be introduced into the chamber only after it has been filled with a concen­
tration of carbon monoxide of at least 1 % by volume, supplied by a source of 100 % carbon 
monoxide. 
5. 12.91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 314/23 
C. The use of engine exhaust gases is forbidden. 
D. When inhaled the gas shall first induce deep general anaesthesia and shall ultimately and 
certainly cause death. 
E. The animals shall remain in the chamber until they are dead. 
5. Exposure to cloroform 
A. The chamber in which the animals are exposed to the gas shall be designed, constructed and 
maintained in such a way as to avoid injury to the animals and shall allow supervision of the 
animals. 
B. The animals shall be introduced into the chamber only if it contains a saturated chloroform-air 
compound. 
C. When inhaled the gas shall first induce deep general anaesthesia and shall ultimately and 
certainly cause death. 
D. The animals shall remain in the chamber until they are dead. 
ANNEX G 
KILLING OF SURPLUS CHICKS AND EMBRYOS IN HATCHERY WASTE 
I. Permitted methods for the killing of chicks 
1. Use of a mechanical apparatus causing rapid death. 
2. Exposure to carbon dioxide gas. 
II. Specific requirements 
1. Use of a mechanical apparatus producing rapid death 
A. The animals shall be killed by an apparatus which contains rapidly rotating mechanically 
operated killing blades. 
B. The capacity of the apparatus must be sufficient to ensure that all animals are killed 
immediately, even if they are handled in large numbers. 
2. Exposure to carbon dioxide 
A. The animals shall be placed in an atmosphere with the highest obtainable concentration of CO2, 
supplied by a source of 100 % CO2. 
B. The animals shall remain in this atmosphere until they are dead. 
III. Permitted method for the killing of embryos in hatchery waste 
To kill any living embryos instantaneously, all hatchery waste shall be treated by the mechanical 
apparatus mentioned above.