European Convention on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter

This Convention, signed under the aegis of the Council of Europe, is intended to lay down for signatory states common minimum standards for the protection of animals at the time of slaughter.

ACT

Council Decision 88/306/EEC of 16 May 1988 on the conclusion of the European Convention for the Protection of Animals for Slaughter.

SUMMARY

This Convention applies to the movement, lairaging, restraint, stunning and actual slaughter of domestic solipeds, ruminants, pigs, rabbits and poultry.

The purpose of the Convention is to lay down uniform methods for sparing animals, as far as possible, suffering and stress.

To achieve that end, the countries that have approved the Convention must respect certain rules concerning, among other things, the delivery of animals to slaughterhousese, their lairaging until they are slaughtered (premises for lairaging and the care of animals) and slaughter methods, including in the case of ritual slaughter (restraint and stunning are compulsory without exception).

The design, construction and facilities of slaughterhouses and their operation must be such as to ensure that the rules laid down in the Convention are complied with.

RELATED ACTS

Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 of 24 September 2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing. [Official Journal L 303 of 18.11.2009].

Last updated: 23.11.2010