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Document 01993L0119-20130101

Consolidated text: Council Directive 93/119/EC of 22 December 1993 on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/1993/119/2013-01-01

1993L0119 — EN — 01.01.2013 — 003.001


This document is meant purely as a documentation tool and the institutions do not assume any liability for its contents

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COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 93/119/EC

of 22 December 1993

on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing

(OJ L 340, 31.12.1993, p.21)

Amended by:

 

 

Official Journal

  No

page

date

 M1

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 806/2003 of 14 April 2003

  L 122

1

16.5.2003

►M2

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1/2005 of 22 December 2004

  L 3

1

5.1.2005

►M3

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1099/2009 of 24 September 2009

  L 303

1

18.11.2009




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COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 93/119/EC

of 22 December 1993

on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing

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ANNEX A

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MOVEMENT AND LAIRAGING OF ANIMALS IN SLAUGHTERHOUSES

I.   General requirements

1.

Every slaughterhouse coming into operation after 30 June 1994 must have suitable equipment and facilities available for the purpose of unloading animals from means of transport, and all existing slaughterhouses must comply with these requirements by 1 January 1996.

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II.   Requirements for animals delivered other than in containers

1.

Where slaughterhouses have equipment for unloading animals, such equipment must have non-slip flooring and, if necessary, be provided with lateral protection. Bridges, ramps and gangways must be fitted with sides, railings or some other means of protection to prevent animals falling off them. Exit or entry ramps must have the minimum possible incline.

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3.

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6.

Without prejudice to derogations granted pursuant to Articles 4 and 13 of Directive 64/433/EEC, slaughterhouses must be equipped with a sufficient number of pens for adequate lairaging of the animals with protection from the effects of adverse weather.

7.

In addition to complying with requirements already laid down in Community rules, lairages must have:

 floors which minimize the risk of slipping and which do not cause injury to animals in contact with them,

 adequate ventilation, taking into account the extremes of temperature and humidity which may be expected. Where mechanical means of ventilation are required, provision must be made for emergency back-up facilities in the event of breakdown,

 artificial lighting at a level sufficient to permit inspection of all animals at any time; if necessary, adequate back-up lighting must be available,

 where necessary, equipment for tethering animals,

 where necessary, adequate supplies of a suitable bedding material for all animals kept in the lairage overnight.

8.

Where, in addition to the lairages referred to above, slaughterhouses also have field lairages without natural shelter or shade, appropriate protection from adverse weather must be provided. Field lairages must be maintained in such condition as to ensure that animals are not subjected to physical, chemical or other health hazards.

9.

Animals which are not taken directly upon arrival to the place of slaughter must have drinking water available to them from appropriate facilities at all times. ►M3  ————— ◄

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ANNEX C

STUNNING OR KILLING OF ANIMALS OTHER THAN ANIMALS REARED FOR FUR

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II.   SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR STUNNING

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3.   Electronarcosis

A.   Electrodes

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2.

Where animals are stunned individually, the apparatus must:

(a) incorporate a device which measures the impedance of the load and prevents operation of the apparatus if the minimum required current cannot be passed;

(b) incorporate an audible or visible device indicating the length of time of its application to an animal;

(c) be connected to a device indicating the voltage and the current under load, positioned so as to be clearly visible to the operator.

B.   Waterbath stunners

1.

Where waterbath stunners are used to stun poultry, the level of the water must be adjustable in order to ensure that there is good contact with the bird's head.

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2.

Where poultry are stunned in groups in a waterbath, a voltage sufficient to produce a current strong enough to ensure that every bird is stunned must be maintained.

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4.

Waterbaths for poultry must be adequate in size and depth for the type of bird being slaughtered, and must not overflow at the entrance. The electrode which is immersed in the water must extend the length of the waterbath.

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4.   Exposure to carbon dioxide

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2.

The chamber in which pigs are exposed to the gas, and the equipment used for conveying the pigs through it, must be so designed, constructed and maintained as to avoid injury to the pigs and compression of the chest and enable them to remain upright until they lose consciousness. Adequate lighting must be provided in the conveying mechanism and the chamber to allow pigs to see other pigs or their surroundings.

3.

The chamber must be fitted with devices for measuring the gas concentration at the point of maximum exposure and for giving a clearly visible and audible warning if the concentration of carbon dioxide falls below the required level.

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