Council Directive 74/577/EEC of 18 November 1974 on stunning of animals before slaughter

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE  of 18 November 1974  on stunning of animals before slaughter  (74/577/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Articles 43 and 100 thereof;
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission;
Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament (1);
Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee;
Whereas the national legislation now in force in the field of protection of animals presents disparities of such a nature as to affect directly the functioning of the common market ; whereas the effect of the costs arising from these requirements are variable from one Member State to another;
Whereas the Community should also take action to avoid in general all forms of cruelty to animals ; whereas it appears desirable, as a first step, that this action should consist in laying down conditions such as to avoid all unnecessary suffering on the part of animals when being slaughtered;
Whereas in this respect the practice of stunning animals by appropriate recognized techniques should be generalized;
Whereas, however, it is necessary to take account of the particular requirements of certain religious rites,