UK Offence Report

The Slaughter of Animals (Humane Conditions) (Scotland) Regulations 1990

UK Statutory Instrument 1990 No. 1240 — creates 1 criminal offence.

1offences created
0recorded in force
0revoked
Made
13 June 1990
In force from
5 July 1990
Extent
Not stated
Subject
Dogs, animals, hunting and wildlife
Made under
Slaughter of Animals (Scotland) Act 1980

Explanatory note

(This Note is not part of the Regulations.) — published with the instrument by the department that made it. © Crown copyright, reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

These Regulations, which apply to Scotland only, consolidate with amendments the provisions of the Slaughter of Animals (Prevention of Cruelty) (Scotland) Regulations 1955 and the Slaughter of Animals (Stunning Pens) (Scotland) Regulations 1963. The Regulations continue to contain requirements relating to– The construction, layout and equipment of slaughterhouses, knackers' yards and lairages (Part II); Conditions to be observed in connection with the confinement and treatment of animals awaiting slaughter in a slaughterhouse or knackers' yard (Part III); Conditions to be observed in connection with the stunning and slaughter of animals in a slaughterhouse or knackers' yard (Parts IV and V); Additional conditions to be observed in connection with the slaughter of horses in a slaughterhouse or knackers' yard (Part IX); Records to be kept by the occupier of a slaughterhouse or knackers' yard (Part X); and Offences and penalties (Part XI). The principal changes are as follows:– Fixed ramps or other facilities for unloading animals are required in newly constructed or adapted premises (regulation 4(2)). Restrictions are placed on the methods of handling animals, and the hitting, prodding or handling of animals in a manner likely to cause them injury or unnecessary distress is prohibited (regulation 5). Sufficient space is to be provided in lairages to allow animals to stand up, lie down and turn around (regulation 7(1)). Slaughterhouses in remote areas at present exempted from the requirement to be equipped with stunning pens are required to instal such pens within 2 years (regulation 13). The stunning of any cattle with a captive bolt pistol applied to the back of the head and the stunning of any other animal in this way is prohibited except (in the latter case) when access to the front of the head is prevented by the animal’s horns (regulation 14(b)). The fitting and use of devices which restrict the movement of the animal’s head becomes mandatory after 2 years (regulation 15). Electrical stunners are to be fitted, within 2 years, with a cut-out device which will prevent a current being delivered which is insufficient to stun the animal (regulation 16(1)(a)). Requirements are introduced to prevent delays occuring between stunning and the subsequent sticking of animals (regulation 17). The slaughter of cattle by the Jewish or Muslim method in the upright position is permitted and the use of upright pens, individually approved by the Secretary of State, for such slaughter becomes mandatory after 2 years (regulation 20(1)). Requirements are introduced relating to the method of cutting during religious slaughter (regulation 23).

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