Community legislation on slaughtering practices aims to minimise the pain and suffering of animals through the use of proper approved methods to stun and kill animals, based on scientific knowledge and practical experience. Directive 93/119/EC on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing sets out the Community rules and also provides that establishments in third countries which are to be approved to export to the Community must ensure that animals are killed under conditions offering guarantees of equivalent humane treatment, and meat must be accompanied by an attestation certifying this.

The protection of animals during transport was harmonised by the adoption of Council Directive 91/628/EEC, which was subsequently reinforced by several amendments. In 2005 the Council adopted Regulation (EC) 1/2005 revising the transport legislation and extending the scope of the requirements to operations relating to transport, such as the handling of animals at interim transfer points or the point of destination, such as slaughterhouses.

In response to a request from the Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has adopted two opinions on the welfare aspects of animal stunning and killing methods. At international level, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has adopted standards on animal welfare focusing on the slaughter of animals for human consumption, land and sea transport of animals, and the humane killing of animals for disease control purposes. Training in the areas of animal welfare issues is considered an important tool in view of developing best practices and compliance with the EU and international standards.

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* Excerpt from Specifications to Invitation to Tender SANCO/2006/E2/021.