Legislation
Dossier: Arrival and lairage management
Council Regulations (EC) No 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing, and 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport, regulate the legal requirements related to arrival and lairage management.
Extracts from both Regulations that are particularly relevant to animal welfare at slaughterhouses are listed for three focus areas for inspections. Also, basic requirements on procedures, responsibilities and competence are given:
- Procedures
- Arrival at the slaughterhouse
- Handling and moving
- Comfort around resting
Listed below are requirements citing the literal text of the directives without being comprehensive. Moreover, there might be stricter national legislation in place. The review on arrival and lairage management at pig slaughterhouses describes the requirements in more detail.
Procedures
Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009:
Standard Operating Procedures: “1. Business operators shall plan in advance the killing of animals and related operations and shall carry them out in accordance with standard operating procedures. (...).” { Chapter II, Article 6}
Level and certificate of competence: “1. Killing and related operations shall only be carried out by persons with the appropriate level of competence to do so without causing the animals any avoidable pain, distress or suffering. (...). { Chapter II, Article 7}
Layout, construction and equipment of slaughterhouses: “1. Business operators shall ensure that the layout and construction of slaughterhouses and the equipment used therein comply with the rules set out in Annex II. (...).” { Chapter III, Article 14}
Handling and restraining operations at slaughterhouses: “1. Business operators shall ensure that the operational rules for slaughterhouses set out in Annex III are complied with. ...)” { Chapter III, Article 15}
“1. The arrival, moving and handling of animals. (...). 1.7. A steady supply of animals for stunning and killing shall be ensured in order to prevent animal handlers rushing animals from the holding pens. (...).” {Annex III}
Animal welfare officer: “1. Business operators shall designate an animal welfare officer for each slaughterhouse to assist them in ensuring compliance with the rules laid down in this Regulation. (...).” { Chapter III, Article 17}
Emergency killing: “In the case of emergency killing, the keeper of the animals concerned shall take all the necessary measures to kill the animal as soon as possible.” {Chapter IV, Article 19}
Arrival at the slaughterhouse
Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009:
Operational rules for slaughterhouses:
“1. The arrival, moving and handling of animals”:
1.1. The welfare conditions of each consignment of animals shall be systematically assessed by the animal welfare officer (...), in particular by determining which animals have specific welfare needs and the corresponding measures to be taken.
1.2. Animals shall be unloaded as quickly as possible after arrival and subsequently slaughtered without undue delay.
Mammals, except rabbits and hares, which are not taken directly upon arrival to the place of slaughter, shall be lairaged. (...).” {Annex III}
Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005:
Space allowances: “All pigs must at least be able to lie down and stand up in their natural position. In order to comply with these minimum requirements, the loading density for pigs of around 100 kg should not exceed 235 kg/m2. (...).” {Annex I, Chapter VII, D. Pigs}
Facilities and procedures: “1.3. Facilities for loading and unloading, including the flooring, shall be designed, constructed, maintained and operated so as to: (a) prevent injury and suffering and minimise excitement and distress during animal movements (...); 1.4. (a) Ramps shall not be steeper than an angle of 20 degrees, (...).” {Annex I, Chapter III}
Handling and moving
Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009:
Layout, construction and equipment of slaughterhouses {Annex II}
“2. Lairage facilities for animals not delivered in containers”:
“2.1. Pens, passageways and races shall be designed and constructed to allow: (a) the animals to move freely in the required direction using their behavioural characteristics and without distraction; (b) pigs or sheep to walk side by side, except in the case of races leading to the restraining equipment.”
“2.2. Ramps and bridges shall be equipped with lateral protection to ensure that animals cannot fall off.”
“2.5. Floors shall be built and maintained in such a way as to minimise the risk of animals slipping, falling or injuring their feet.”
Comfort around resting
Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009:
Layout, construction and equipment of slaughterhouses {Annex II}:
“1. All lairage facilities”:
“1.1. Ventilation systems shall be designed, constructed and maintained so that the welfare of the animals is constantly ensured, taking into account the expected range of weather conditions.”
“1.3. Lairage facilities shall be designed and constructed so as to minimise the risk of injuries to the animals and the occurrence of sudden noises.”
“1.4. Lairage facilities shall be designed and constructed so as to facilitate the inspection of the animals. (...).”
“2. Lairage facilities for animals not delivered in containers”:
“2.3. The water supply system in pens shall be designed, constructed and maintained so as to allow all animals at all times access to clean water without being injured or limited in their movements.”
“2.4. When a waiting pen is used, it shall be constructed with a level floor and solid sides, between the holding pens and the race leading to the point of stunning and designed so that animals cannot be trapped or trampled.”
“2.5. Floors shall be built and maintained in such a way as to minimise the risk of animals slipping, falling or injuring their feet.”