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Casualty Animals (Slaughter)

Volume 174: debated on Tuesday 12 June 1990

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To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether he will consider the introduction of a certificate of receipt system for the slaughter of casualty animals;(2) whether he will consider a review of the Slaughterhouses (Hygiene) Regulations 1977, to prevent the slaughter of casualty animals without a veterinary officer's certificate.

The Slaughterhouses (Hygiene) Regulations 1977 already require a veterinary health certificate for animals known or suspected to be injured or diseased, and for carcases of such animals, intended to be presented at the slaughterhouse, subject to certain exceptions. These relate to injuries of recent origin, such as during transit when a veterinarian will not be available, and for welfare reasons to sheep and lamb carcases, where a declaration by the owner is acceptable.It is an offence to allow casualty animals or their carcases to enter a slaughterhouse uncertified under any other circumstances.I am already considering whether any changes to the regulations may be desirable.