UK Statutory Instrument SI 2015/1782 England

The Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015

The Regulations make provision in England for the administration and enforcement of Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 of 24 September 2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing (OJ No L 303, 18.11.2009, p1) (“the EU Regulation”) and certain national rules maintained or adopted under Article 26(1) …

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Status
In Force
Penalty ceiling
Regulated

Does it bind you?

Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.

Operator47 Any Person40 Applicant3 Landlord1 Director or Officer1

Plus 6 duties on the regulator, Crown ministers and public bodies — folded into the section list below.

Other Acts binding the same actors

If a role above is yours, these are the other instruments that most often bind it.

Operator — also bound by 745 other Acts
Any Person — also bound by 2338 other Acts
Applicant — also bound by 306 other Acts
Landlord — also bound by 224 other Acts
Housing Act 1985 55 duties
Housing Act 1996 30 duties
Director or Officer — also bound by 428 other Acts
Companies Act 2006 126 duties

What it requires

Regulations creating concrete business duties or carrying penalties, grouped as the instrument is structured. Titles link to the source text — blue means you’re leaving for legislation.gov.uk.

Part 1

0 of 4 sections shown
4 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.001 Citation, extent, application and commencement
s.002 Expiry
s.003 Interpretation
s.004 The competent authority
Part 2

10 of 20 sections shown
s.005 Requirement for a certificate or temporary certificate Regulated
  • Hold a valid certificate before carrying out regulated killing operationsAny Person
s.007 Certificates Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Competent authority must grant certificate if conditions metStatutory regulator
s.008 Conditions for a certificate Regulated
  • Meet age, training and disclosure conditions for a killing certificateApplicant
s.009 Temporary certificates Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Competent authority must grant temporary certificates to qualifying applicantsStatutory regulator
s.010 Conditions for a temporary certificate Regulated
  • Meet eligibility and disclosure conditions for a temporary certificateApplicant
s.012 Requirement for a licence Regulated
  • Hold a registered licence before carrying out licensed animal killing operationsAny Person
s.015 Licences Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Licensing authority must grant and register your licence if you meet the conditionsLocal authority
s.016 Conditions for a licence Regulated
  • Meet licence conditions to kill animals commerciallyApplicant
s.020 Modification of a certificate or licence Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Competent authority must modify certificate or licence when validly requestedCrown / Minister / Government department
s.024 Fees Regulated
  • Pay fees to FSA and Secretary of State for licence applications and veterinary assessmentsAny Person
10 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.006 Operations which require a certificate or temporary certificate
s.011 Grant of certificates and temporary certificates
s.013 Operations which require a licence
s.014 Exceptions to the requirement for a licence
s.017 Grant of licences
s.018 Refusal to grant a certificate, temporary certificate or licence
s.019 Suspension or revocation of a certificate, temporary certificate or licence
s.021 Refusal to modify a certificate or licence
s.022 Appeals
s.023 WASK licences
Part 3

0 of 4 sections shown
4 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.025 Additional requirements for slaughterhouses
s.026 Additional requirements for killing animals other than in slaughterhouses
s.027 Additional requirements for killing animals in accordance with religious rites
s.028 Killing animals other than those to which the
Part 4

1 of 1 section shown
s.029 Depopulation operations Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Competent authority must publish written notice of depopulation derogation decisionsCrown / Minister / Government department
Part 5

4 of 4 sections shown
s.030 Offences: general Regulated
  • Fail to comply with animal welfare at killing regulationsAny Person
s.031 Obstruction offences Regulated
  • Obstruct an animal welfare inspectorAny Person
s.032 Offences by bodies corporate Regulated
  • Commit offence through consent, connivance or neglect as a director/managerDirector or Officer
s.033 Penalties Regulated
  • Breach animal welfare at killing rules or obstruct an inspectorAny Person
Part 6

1 of 8 sections shown
s.038 Enforcement notices Regulated
  • Comply with enforcement notices served by an inspectorAny Person
7 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.034 Inspectors
s.035 Power to enter premises
s.036 Warrants
s.037 Power to inspect and seize
s.039 Appeals against enforcement notices
s.040 Power of local authority to prosecute
s.041 Time limit for prosecutions
Part 7

1 of 6 sections shown
s.046 Review Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must review these Regulations and publish a report every 5 yearsCrown / Minister / Government department
5 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.042 Notices
s.043 Consequential and supplementary amendments and revocation
s.044 Transitional provision: certificates
s.045 Transitional provision: slaughterhouses (layout, construction and equipment)
s.047 Revocations
Schedules

Schedules

81 of 106 shown
s.sch001 General requirements Regulated
  • Protect animals from adverse weather and ensure proper handling during lairagingOperator
s.sch001 Inspection of animals Regulated
  • Inspect every animal's health every morning and eveningOperator
s.sch001 Animals which have experienced pain or suffering and unweaned animals Regulated
  • Kill immediately animals that suffered in transit or are unweanedOperator
s.sch001 Animals delivered other than in containers Regulated
  • Handle animals humanely during movement and lairaging at killing sitesOperator
s.sch001 The driving of animals Regulated
  • Do not lead or drive animals over unsafe ground that may cause slipping or fallingAny Person
s.sch001 Moving animals with care Regulated
  • Move animals with care and lead individually when necessaryOperator
s.sch001 Instruments for guiding animals Regulated
  • Use animal guiding instruments only for guiding and only brieflyOperator
s.sch001 Lairaging of animals Regulated
  • Provide food to lairaged animals without unnecessary disturbanceOperator
s.sch001 General requirement Regulated
  • Restrain animals appropriately before stunning or killingAny Person
s.sch001 Restraining bovine animals Regulated
  • Use a working stunning or restraining pen when stunning or killing adult cattleAny Person
s.sch001 Shackle lines Regulated
  • Operate shackle lines safely and at appropriate speed for poultry welfareAny Person
s.sch001 Restraining operations Regulated
  • Position animals correctly for accurate stunning or killing equipmentOperator
s.sch001 General requirements Regulated
  • Use stunning and killing equipment to ensure rapid, effective stunningOperator
s.sch001 Penetrative captive bolt Regulated
  • Use penetrative captive bolt devices correctly when stunning animalsAny Person
s.sch001 Non-penetrative captive bolt Regulated
  • Use non-penetrative captive bolt correctly when stunning or killing animalsAny Person
s.sch001 Electrical stunning other than by waterbath Regulated
  • Ensure safe electrical stunning of animals before slaughterAny Person
s.sch001 Electrical stunning by waterbath Regulated
  • Ensure waterbath stunning of poultry meets welfare standardsAny Person
s.sch001 Exposure to gas – pigs Regulated
  • Ensure gas stunning equipment and processes meet welfare standards for pigsOperator
s.sch001 General requirements Regulated
  • Maintain suitable facilities and equipment for animal welfare at killingOperator
s.sch001 Exposure to gas – poultry Regulated
  • Ensure gas stunning of poultry meets welfare and equipment standardsOperator
s.sch001 Bleeding or pithing Regulated
  • Bleed or pith simple-stunned animals promptly and completelyAny Person
s.sch001 Horses Regulated
  • Do not kill horses except in a designated area away from other animalsAny Person
s.sch001 Animals delivered other than in containers Regulated
  • Provide suitable unloading equipment for animals delivered looseOperator
s.sch001 Lairages other than field lairages Regulated
  • Provide adequate lairage facilities at your slaughterhouseOperator
s.sch001 Field lairages Regulated
  • Maintain safe field lairages with adequate feeding equipmentOperator
s.sch001 Shackle lines Regulated
  • Ensure ready access to poultry shackle lines and equipment controlsOperator
s.sch001 Stunning pens Regulated
  • Ensure stunning pens for cattle are properly constructedOperator
s.sch001 Facilities for horses Regulated
  • Provide separate horse killing facilities and safe loose boxesOperator
s.sch002 Facilities for horses Regulated
  • Provide safe horse-killing facilities at knacker's yardsOperator
s.sch002 General requirements Regulated
  • Ensure proper handling, shelter and separation of animals before killingOperator
s.sch002 Inspection of animals Regulated
  • Inspect animals every morning and eveningOperator
s.sch002 Animals which have experienced pain or suffering and unweaned animals Regulated
  • Kill injured or unweaned animals immediately on arrivalOperator
s.sch002 Emergency killing Regulated
  • Do not drag animals unable to walk — kill in place or use a trolleyOperator
s.sch002 Animals delivered other than in containers Regulated
  • Handle animals humanely when delivered without containersOperator
s.sch002 The lifting or dragging of animals Regulated
  • Do not lift or drag animals in a way that causes unnecessary painAny Person
s.sch002 The driving of animals Regulated
  • Do not drive animals over ground that could cause them to slip or fallAny Person
s.sch002 Moving animals with care Regulated
  • Move animals with care and lead them individually when necessaryOperator
s.sch002 Instruments to guide animals Regulated
  • Use animal guiding instruments only for guiding and only brieflyOperator
s.sch002 Instruments to make animals move Regulated
  • Restrict use of electric shock instruments to move animalsAny Person
s.sch002 Treatment of animals Regulated
  • Do not strike, kick, or injure animals during handlingAny Person
s.sch002 Lairaging of animals Regulated
  • Ensure adequate lairage conditions for animals before killingOperator
s.sch002 Handling of animals delivered in containers Regulated
  • Handle animal delivery containers with care during loading and unloadingOperator
s.sch002 Killing of animals delivered in containers Regulated
  • Kill animals delivered in containers promptly and provide food/water if delayedOperator
s.sch002 Poultry awaiting killing at place of purchase Regulated
  • House and provide food and water to poultry awaiting killing at your premisesOperator
s.sch002 General requirement Regulated
  • Restrain animals before stunning or killing themAny Person
s.sch002 Restraining bovine animals Regulated
  • Secure adult bovine animals before stunning in a knacker's yardAny Person
s.sch002 Electric currents Regulated
  • Do not use electric currents to restrain, immobilise or move animalsAny Person
s.sch002 Shackle lines Regulated
  • Operate poultry shackle lines safely and at appropriate speedsAny Person
s.sch002 Restraining operations Regulated
  • Position animals correctly for head-applied stunning or killing equipmentOperator
s.sch002 General requirements Regulated
  • Ensure stunning and killing equipment achieves rapid and effective resultsOperator
s.sch002 Penetrative captive bolt Regulated
  • Follow correct procedures when using penetrative captive bolt stunnersAny Person
s.sch002 Non-penetrative captive bolt Regulated
  • Use non-penetrative captive bolt correctly or not at allAny Person
s.sch002 Electrical stunning other than by waterbath Regulated
  • Ensure electrical stunning equipment and technique meet animal welfare standardsAny Person
s.sch002 Electrical stunning by waterbath Regulated
  • Meet safety and welfare standards when using a waterbath stunner for poultryAny Person
s.sch002 General requirements Regulated
  • Provide safe animal handling and stunning facilities at places of killingOperator
s.sch002 Exposure to gas – pigs Regulated
  • Ensure gas stunning equipment for pigs meets welfare standardsOperator
s.sch002 Exposure to gas – poultry Regulated
  • Ensure safe gas stunning equipment and procedures for poultryOperator
s.sch002 Bleeding or pithing Regulated
  • Bleed or pith animals without delay after simple stunning and follow procedure rulesAny Person
s.sch002 Horses Regulated
  • Do not kill horses in a knacker's yard except in a designated areaAny Person
s.sch002 Surplus chicks in hatchery waste Regulated
  • Only kill surplus chicks under 72 hours using approved methodsAny Person
s.sch002 Animals delivered other than in containers Regulated
  • Provide safe unloading equipment and passageways for animalsOperator
s.sch002 Lairages other than field lairages Regulated
  • Provide and maintain suitable lairage facilities for animalsOperator
s.sch002 Field lairages Regulated
  • Maintain field lairages with shelter, lighting, and feeding facilitiesOperator
s.sch002 Shackle lines Regulated
  • Ensure shackle lines for poultry are safely designed and accessibleOperator
s.sch002 Stunning pens Regulated
  • Ensure stunning pens for cattle meet construction standardsOperator
s.sch003 General prohibition Regulated
  • Do not kill animals for religious rites without prior stunningAny Person
s.sch003 Restraint of adult bovine animals Regulated
  • Do not kill adult cattle without stunning unless using an approved restraint penAny Person
s.sch003 Use and maintenance of restraining pens Regulated
  • Use, maintain and re-approve bovine restraining pensOperator
s.sch003 Method of killing Regulated
  • Use correct knife method and inspect knife before religious slaughter without stunningAny Person
s.sch003 Handling of sheep, goats and bovine animals during killing Regulated
  • Ensure safe handling of animals during religious slaughter without stunningOperator
s.sch003 Method of killing Regulated
  • Ensure correct method and equipment when killing birds under religious rites without stunningAny Person
s.sch003 Handling birds during killing Regulated
  • Wait minimum time before dressing birds after religious slaughterOperator
s.sch004 Humane killing Regulated
  • Prevent avoidable suffering and ensure competency when killing animalsAny Person
s.sch004 Poultry, rabbits or hares bled for private domestic consumption Regulated
  • Stun poultry, rabbits or hares before bleeding for private consumptionLandlord
s.sch008 Animals delivered other than in containers Regulated
  • Ensure safe infrastructure for animals delivered to your premisesOperator
s.sch008 Lairages other than field lairages Regulated
  • Ensure lairages have safe floors, ventilation, lighting and drinking facilitiesOperator
s.sch008 Field lairages Regulated
  • Ensure field lairages have shelter, lighting and drinking facilitiesOperator
s.sch008 Shackle lines Regulated
  • Ensure shackle lines at poultry slaughterhouses are safe and accessibleOperator
s.sch008 Electrical stunning other than by waterbath Regulated
  • Ensure electrical stunning equipment has timing and voltage/current indicatorsAny Person
s.sch008 Electrical stunning by waterbath Regulated
  • Ensure waterbath stunners meet equipment standards before useAny Person
s.sch008 Exposure to gas Regulated
  • Ensure gas stunning equipment for pigs and poultry is safe and monitoredAny Person
25 other schedules
s.sch001 Interpretation
s.sch001 Scope
s.sch001 Suspending poultry
s.sch001 Percussive blow to the head
s.sch002 Interpretation
s.sch002 Scope
s.sch002 Tying legs
s.sch002 Exemptions
s.sch002 Suspending animals
s.sch002 Percussive blow to the head
s.sch002 Exposure to gas – prohibition
s.sch003 Interpretation
s.sch003 Supplementary
s.sch003 Membership
s.sch004 Interpretation
s.sch004 Scope
s.sch004 Exemptions
s.sch006 Firearms Act 1968
s.sch006 Slaughterhouses Act 1974
s.sch006 Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
s.sch006 The Meat (Official Controls Charges) (England) Regulations 2009
s.sch006 The Gangmasters Licensing (Exclusions) Regulations 2013
s.sch006 The Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (Consequential Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2014
s.sch007 Operations in a slaughterhouse immediately before 1st January 2013
s.sch007 Simplified procedure for persons who have three years’ professional experience

Help complying

Guvnor’s practical routes through this instrument.

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Get your animal-origin establishment approved: meat, poultry, fish and dairy

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