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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 5th November 2015
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Concerns over new rules for poultry slaughter
turkeys
If parameters are not set and implemented correctly, some birds could be immobilised rather than stunned before slaughter.
Lack of stunning parameters could compromise welfare - BVA
 
A gap in new regulations for poultry slaughter could compromise animal welfare, the BVA has said.

The Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (WATOK) Regulations come into force today (5 November). While they have been generally welcomed, the BVA is concerned that the new rules do not include stunning parameters for poultry killed 'in accordance with religious rites'.

This could result in a percentage of birds being immobilised rather than stunned, meaning they are still conscious at the time of slaughter.

BVA's president Sean Wensley said this omission "undermines the science the regulations are built upon".

European laws on welfare at slaughter include rules on stunning, based on work carried out by the European Food Safety Authority to assess the parameters for electrical water bath stunning of poultry.

BVA has previously called for European legislation to be fully implemented through WATOK. There is a high risk that if the parameters in electrical water bath stunning are not correctly set and implemented for birds killed 'in accordance with religious rites', then stunning will be ineffective in some birds.

"It is difficult to see how effective stunning can be assured for all poultry if parameters are not set when poultry are killed in accordance with religious rites," Mr Wensley commented.

"Slaughtermen, official veterinarians and animal welfare officers in abattoirs are not able to tell the difference between birds that have been effectively stunned and those that are just electro-mobilised, thus compromising the animal welfare standards that these regulations are being put in place to protect."

The BVA has written to Defra to seek urgent clarification on how the new legislation will ensure effective stunning for all poultry before slaughter.

These concerns aside, the BVA has largely welcomed the regulations, which contain new provisions to improve welfare at slaughter, such as the introduction of certificates of competence and the requirement for large slaughterhouses to have an animal welfare officer.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.