[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 9, Volume 2]

[Revised as of January 1, 2007]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 9CFR313.30]



[Page 149-150]

 

                  TITLE 9--ANIMALS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS

 

     CHAPTER III--FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF 

                               AGRICULTURE

 

PART 313_HUMANE SLAUGHTER OF LIVESTOCK--Table of Contents

 

Sec. 313.30  Electrical; stunning or slaughtering with electric current.



    The slaughtering of swine, sheep, calves, cattle, and goats with the 

use of electric current and the handling in connection therewith, in 

compliance with the provisions contained in this section, are hereby 

designated and approved as humane methods of slaughtering and handling 

of such animals under the Act.



[[Page 150]]



    (a) Administration of electric current, required effect; handling. 

(1) The electric current shall be administered so as to produce, at a 

minimum, surgical anesthesia, i.e., a state where the animal feels no 

painful sensation. The animals shall be either stunned or killed before 

they are shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. They shall be exposed 

to the electric current in a way that will accomplish the desired result 

quickly and effectively, with a minimum of excitement and discomfort.

    (2) The driving or conveying of the animals to the place of 

application of electric current shall be done with a minimum of 

excitement and discomfort to the animals. Delivery of calm animals to 

the place of application is essential to ensure rapid and effective 

insensibility. Among other things, this requires that, in driving 

animals to the place of application, electrical equipment be used as 

little as possible and with the lowest effective voltage.

    (3) The quality and location of the electrical shock shall be such 

as to produce immediate insensibility to pain in the exposed animal.

    (4) The stunned animal shall remain in a state of surgical 

anesthesia through shackling, sticking, and bleeding.

    (b) Facilities and procedures; operator--(1) General requirements 

for operator. It is necessary that the operator of electric current 

application equipment be skilled, attentive, and aware of his or her 

responsibility.

    (2) Special requirements for electric current application equipment. 

The ability of electric current equipment to perform with maximum 

efficiency is dependent on its proper design and efficient mechanical 

operation. Pathways, compartments, current applicators, and all other 

equipment used must be designed to properly accommodate the species of 

animals being anesthetized. Animals shall be free from pain-producing 

restraining devices. Injury of animals must be prevented by the 

elimination of sharp projections or exposed wheels or gears. There shall 

be no unnecessary holes, spaces or openings where feet or legs of 

animals may be injured. Impellers or other devices designed to 

mechanically move or drive animals or otherwise keep them in motion or 

compartmentalized shall be constructed of flexible or padded material. 

Power activated gates designed for constant flow of animals shall be so 

fabricated that they will not cause injury. All equipment used to apply 

and control the electrical current shall be maintained in good repair, 

and all indicators, instruments, and measuring devices shall be 

available for inspection by Program inspectors during the operation and 

at other times.

    (3) Electric current. Each animal shall be given a sufficient 

application of electric current to ensure surgical anesthesia throughout 

the bleeding operation. Suitable timing, voltage and current control 

devices shall be used to ensure that each animal receives the necessary 

electrical charge to produce immediate unconsciousness. The current 

shall be applied so as to avoid the production of hemorrhages or other 

tissue changes which could interfere with inspection procedures.



[44 FR 68813, Nov. 30, 1979, as amended at 50 FR 25202, June 18, 1985]