Slaughter, stunning, methods - UK Soil Association Organic Standards 2005

Padel, Susanne and Lowman, Steve (2005) Slaughter, stunning, methods - UK Soil Association Organic Standards 2005. [Organic rules - Differences between other regulations/standards and EEC No 2092/91]

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Summary

There are a number of permitted methods of stunning, killing and slaughtering specified for different classes of livestock. Only pigs may be stunned using carbon dioxide, and Soil Association permission is required for this. The operation of the carbon dioxide stunning system is subject to a number of specified conditions. The operation of the carbon dioxide system must be constantly monitored by a specifically trained, licensed slaughterman, and pigs must be killed by the gas and bled as soon as possible. The carbon dioxide system must include back-up equipment for use in case of failure. (Soil Association Organic Standards. Paragraphs 42.8.8-42.8.15 and 42.9.12-42.9.14.)

Difference

Soil Association Standards are more specific than the EU Regulation 2092/91. Soil Association standards require that carbon dioxide must not be used to stun any animal apart from pigs, and permission must be gained for its use with pigs. EU Regulation does not contain any prohibition or other reference to the use of carbon dioxide for stunning.

Justification

Carbon dioxide stunning may cause distress to animals in the stunning process. The stunning is not instant and may cause respiratory distress. Susceptibility to distress is affected by pig breed and other variables, so the Soil Association would require to know all the relevant details to decide on any permission for use of carbon dioxide in pig slaughter.

EU Regulation

Annex I. Principles of organic production and processing > B.Livestock and livestock products - Annex I B > Animal husbandry, management, transport, identification of livestock products/slaughter - Annex I B6

Item type:	Organic rules - Differences between other regulations/standards and EEC No 2092/91
Subjects:	Animal husbandry > Slaughter Animal husbandry Specific animal standards
Country/Standard:	Europe > UK > Soil Association Organic Standards
Principles:	Principle of fairness Principle of health
ID Code:	228
Deposited By:	INVALID USER
Deposited On:	18 Dec 2005
Last Modified:	16 Apr 2010 13:00

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