CELEX: 51974PC0294
Language: en
Date: 1974-03-13
Title: Proposal for a Council Directive on stunning of animals before slaughter (submitted to the Council by the Commission)

ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
DE LA COMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEE DES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (74) 294
Vol. 1974/0054
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In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983
concerning the opening to the public of the historical archives of the European Economic
Community and the European Atomic Energy Community (OJ L 43, 15.2.1983, p. 1), as
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In Übereinstimmung mit der Verordnung (EWG, Euratom) Nr. 354/83 des Rates vom 1.
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 ---pagebreak--- COMMISSION OF THE EUROIEAN COMMUMTÏES
                                              COM(74)294 final
                                              Brussels . 13 March 1974
                     Proposal for a Council Directive
                   on stunning of animals "before slaughter
              ( submitted to the Council "by the Commission)
   COM(74) 294 final
 ---pagebreak---                               EXPLANATORY HOTE
Following the adhesion of the new Member States to the Community , it has
become apparent that special importance is attached to problems concerning
the protection of animals particularly in relation to stunning of animals
before slaughter.   National legislation in force concerning the protection
of animals presents differences of a nature as to directly affect the functio­
ning of the Common market , and the costs arising from such requirements
vary in different Member States .
Whilst the Community should take action to avoid all forms of cruelty to
animals , it appear3 suitable as a firnt step to direct such action to the
prevention of cruelty to animals whea they are being slaughtered by the
generalization of the practice of rendering all animals unconscious by appro­
priate recognized techniques before they are put to death .
At the same time the necessity for national authorities to grant special
derogations , particularly in relation to certain religious rites is to be
recognized.
 ---pagebreak---    -
                      Proposal for a Council Directive    "
                       on stunning of animals "before slaughter
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 ppinionlof the European Parliament ,
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee ,
Whereas the national legislation actually in force in the field of protection
of animals presents disparities of such a nature as to directiy effect the ,
functioning of the Common market ; whereas the effect of the costs arising
from these requirements are variable from one Member State to another ;
Irlhereas the Community should also take action to avoid in general all forms
of cruelty to animals j whereas it appears suitable , as a first step , that
this action should consist of laying down conditions such as to avoid all
suffering on the part of animals when being slaughtered ;
Whereas in this respect the practice of stunning animals by appropriate re­
cognized techniques should be generalized ;
Whereas , however , it is necessary to take account of the particular require­
ments of certain religious rites ,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE :
 ---pagebreak---                                     Article 1
1 . Member states shall ensure that .stunning precedes the slaughter of all
    animals of the following species : bovine animals , swine , sheep , goats and
    solipeds ,
2 . For the purposes of this Directive , stunning , means a process effected
    by a mechanically operated instrument , electricity or carbon dioxide
    which when applied to an animal , plunges it into a state of unconsciousness
    which lasts until the animal is slaughtered.
                                    Article 2
1 . The competent national authority - shall ensure that stunning is perfor­
    med by means of equipment approved for the relevant species , that the
    equipment is in good working order and that it is used correctly.
2 a The competent national authority.    shall ensure that stunning is practiced
    by a slaughterman recognized as having the necessary ability and knowledge ,
3 . During the operation of stunning each animal shall be restrained by tech­
    niques recognized as appropriate .
                                  . Article 3
In case of urgency , the competent national authority may grant derogations
from the provisions of this Directive ; it shall , however , ensure that ani­
mals are never subjected to cruel treatment .
                                    Article 4
                       \                                   .. .
The present Directive does not affect national provisions related to special
methods of slaughter which are required for particular religious rites .
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 3 -
                                     Article 5
The Member States shall not later than 31st December 1974 t bring into force
the laws , regulations and. administrative provisions necessary to comply with
this Directive .
                                     Article 6
This Directive is addressed to the Member States .
Done at Brussels .                                            For the Council
                                                              The Président