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Animal Welfare at slaughter and killing for disease control

Unit 4 – Stunning methods

Welcome to this module, which will focus on the stunning of animals.

We will define stunning and give a general description of its legal basis.
Then, we will describe in detail the stunning requirements for each of the permitted stunning techniques for
one or more animal species.
The final section includes a topic on the assessment of stunning effectiveness.
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The learning objective for this topic is to become familiar with the general legal basis for stunning.

The Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 defines Stunning’ as any intentionally induced process which
causes loss of consciousness and sensibility without pain, including any process resulting in instantaneous
death.
Mechanical, electrical and gas stunning methods, as well as lethal injection, are allowed for livestock, as
described in Annex I of the Regulation.
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The main legal framework concerning the stunning of animals, that will serve as a basis for this course, is
reported here.
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More Info <Regulations>

Council Regulation (EC) No1099/2009, Art. 5

1. Business operators shall ensure that persons responsible for stunning or other nominated staff carry
out regular checks to ensure that the animals do not present any signs of consciousness or sensibility in the
period between the end of the stunning process and death.
2. Where, for the purpose of Article 4(4), animals are killed without prior stunning, persons responsible
for slaughtering shall carry out systematic checks to ensure that the animals do not present any signs of
consciousness or sensibility before being released from restraint and do not present any sign of life before
undergoing dressing or scalding.

Council Regulation (EC) No1099/2009, Art. 16

1. For the purposes of Article 5, business operators shall put in place and implement appropriate monitoring
procedures in slaughterhouses.

Council Regulation (EC) No1099/2009, Art. 22

1. For the purpose of Article 54 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004, the competent authority may in particular:
(a) require business operators to amend their standard operating procedures and, in particular, slow down
or stop production;
(b) require business operators to increase the frequency of the checks referred to in Article
5 and amend the monitoring procedures referred to in Article 16;
c) suspend or withdraw certificates of competence issued under this Regulation from a person who no longer
shows sufficient competence, knowledge or awareness of his/her
tasks to carry out the operations for which the certificate was issued;
(d) suspend or withdraw the delegation of power referred to in Article 21(2);
(e) require the amendment of the instructions referred to in Article 8 with due regard to the scientific
opinions provided pursuant to Article 20(1)(b).
2. When a competent authority suspends or withdraws a certificate of competence, it shall inform the
granting competent authority of its decision.
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The learning objective of this topic is to improve the knowledge of mechanical stunning for cattle.
We will see the method description, the legal parameters and the poor stunning reasons and
recommendations.

Box <Non-penetrative methods>

Non-penetrative methods:
• Non-Penetrative Captive bolt
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Concerning ruminants, the Council Regulation (EC) No1099/2009 allows the use of nonpenetrative methods
in slaughterhouses only for animals weighing less than 10 kg. It is allowed for slaughtering and depopulation
of other species (poultry, rabbits and hares).

Box <Penetrative methods>

Penetrative methods:
• Penetrative Captive bolt
• Firearm with free projectile

Free bullets are allowed by the Regulation but their use is limited, due to weapon legislation.
For these reasons we will focus only on penetrative captive bolt stunning.
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More Info <Magnitude of deviation>

The magnitude of deviation from the normal brain electrical activity can be determined from an
electroencephalogram (EEG) or electrocorticogram (ECoG).
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Pop-up <Regulations>

EC Regulation 1099/2009, Art. 6

As regards stunning, the standard operating procedures shall:
(a) take into account the manufacturers’ recommendations;
(b) define for each stunning method used, on the basis of available scientific evidence, the key parameters
set out in Chapter I of Annex I ensuring their effectiveness to stun the animals;
(c) specify the measures to be taken when the checks referred to in Art. 5 indicate that an animal is not
properly stunned or, in the case of animals slaughtered in accordance with Art. 4(4), that the animal still
presents signs of life.
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Pop-up <convulsion>

It is generally known that the removal of inhibitory influences from higher centres of the brain before the
spinal cord becomes anoxic, results in convulsive activity and enhancement of some spinal reflexes. After the
stunning procedure the animals may not die immediately depending on the degree of injury to the brain.
Therefore, it is recommended to kill the animal by exsanguination, pithing or air pressure to damage the
deeper parts of the brain and to prevent convulsions.

Pop-up <heart rate >

Sometimes, an increase in heart rate and blood pressure has been reported after captive bolt stunning of
cows due to activation of the respective brain centers.

Pop-up <stun-to-stick>

No legal parameters are given in the EC Regulation 1099/2009 for the stun-to-stick interval but it is
compulsory for business operators to establish monitoring procedures to assure that unconsciousness lasts
until death. More information about stun-to-stick intervals will be delivered in Unit 5, Topic 1.

Pop-up <further suffering>

For this reason, an SOP should be in place to avoid further suffering in case of a mis-stun.

Pop-up <membrane potential>

The membrane potential is the electric potential existing on the two sides of a membrane or across the cell
wall.

Pop-up <extra systole>

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The extra systole is a premature cardiac contraction that is independent of the normal rhythm and arises in
response to an impulse outside the sinoatrial node.

Box <Stunning pen>

Stunning pen (between end of stunning and shacking)

Checkpoint 1: monitoring of captive bolt stunning application. The gun shall be:
• in working order;
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• regularly maintained;
• charged with correct cartridge size;
• aimed at intersection point between eyes and base of horn in cattle (see different position for sheep and
pigs where relevant).

Checkpoint 2: successful stunning.

Immediate collapse

Box <Shackling area>

Shackling area (during neck cutting or sticking) Checkpoint 3: successful

stunning.
• Loss of corneal reflex or palpebral reflex,
• fixed/eyes,
• apnoea,
• check bolt hole.

Box <Sticking area>

Sticking area (during bleeding)

Efficiency of sticking and signs of recovery

The learning objective of this topic is to become familiar with the electrical stunning practiced on sheep and
pigs: you will deal in particular with: method description, legal parameters, poor stunning reasons, and
recommendations.
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Pop-up <reversible>

It is important to use an adequate voltage in order to achieve sufficient current through the animal. Rendering
animals unconscious by producing brain dysfunction (with or without killing by cardiac arrest) is the aim so
that exsanguination can be carried out.
The Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 allows two electrical stunning methods for sheep and pigs: a
reversible one (head-only electrical stunning) and an irreversible one (head-to-body electrical stunning).
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Pop-up <resistance>

Resistance depends on several factors:

• tissue resistance;
• shape, size and cleanliness of the electrodes;
• pressure of the electrodes on the tissue.

More Info <Regulations>

EC Regulation 1099/2009, Annex II, point 4

Layout, construction and equipment of slaughterhouses

4. Electrical stunning equipment (except waterbath stunning equipment).

4.1. Electrical stunning equipment shall be fitted with a device which displays and records the
details of the electrical key parameters for each animal stunned. The device shall be placed so as to
be clearly visible to the personnel and shall give a clearly visible and audible warning if the duration
of exposure falls below the required level. These records shall be kept for at least one year.
4.2. Automatic electrical stunning equipment associated to a restrainer shall deliver a constant
current.
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Pop-up <34-45 seconds>

Sheep which are stunned with a head-only stunner must be bled within a maximum interval of 30 seconds to
prevent them from regaining consciousness. A stun-to-stick interval of 10 to 17 seconds is recommended.
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Pop-up <here>
The overall hazard is that the current does not span the brain and does not induce unconsciousness. In this
case, animals fail to collapse and show absence of tonic/clonic seizures, presence of breathing (including
laboured breathing). In extreme cases, animals may also vocalise.
There are also other factors which directly contribute to poor welfare because of the following
consequences:.
• Poor stunning can occur through incorrect placement of the electrodes; inadequate electrical current
delivered to the brain due to wrong wave form (electrical) frequency, voltage or current. There is always
some uncertainty in outcome due to equipment, and to varying resistances between animals.
• If the current is lower than recommended it may be that an animal is not rendered immediately
unconscious and therefore it might experiences electric shocks. Electrical stimulation of muscle causes
contractions that can be painful in a conscious animal (Croft, 1952).
• Cardiac arrest in a conscious animal may be painful.
• The time interval between rendering an animal unconscious and inducing death through bleeding out is
critical in the head only stunning situation, as it may recover consciousness before it is dead.
• Handling and restraint will cause stress as, at the outset, the animal will not be free to escape the pressure
of the electrodes (which may be sharp). The change of environment, mixing in different groups, social
isolation from the cage/pen mates have also to be taken into consideration.
• Electrical currents through the brain will alter the biochemistry of the brain, brain neuro-peptide levels, and
also may affect the biochemistry of other tissues e.g. muscle. Extravascular haemorrhages may occur in
muscle, connective tissue and fat, and it may cause muscle fibre ruptures and broken bones (Gregory et al.,
1991).

Source: Annex to the EFSA Journal (2005) 292, 1-136; Aspects of the biology and welfare of animals used for
experimental and other scientific purposes (p. 68)

More Info <Automatic stunning>

Several automatic electrical stunning methods are currently available. One device consists of a V-type
restrainer that at the end of the each pig makes contact with the electrodes and receives the stunning current.
During stunning the animals are turned out and fall onto a table. A second method also uses a conveyor belt
system; at the end of the restrainer the nose of the pigs interrupts a beam of light which activates the
electrodes. The electrodes are positioned between the eye and ear. After 1 second of stunning, a heart
electrode is positioned behind the left shoulder and current delivered for 1.5 s. As a result of the body current,
the animals do not show muscle contractions.
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Box <Minimum current>

1A for sheep, 1,3A for pigs.

Box <Minimum voltage>

220V (to attain the prescribed current).

Box <Maximum frequency>

50Hz (maximum recommended).

Box <Minimum time of exposure>

With good equipment and ideal conditions electrical stunning should ideally induce a loss of consciousness
in less than 0,2 sec., however time to loss of consciousness should never be greater than 1 second (EFSA,
2004). In field conditions, to ensure effective current application, protect animal welfare and to prevent
convulsion, a time of exposure of 2 to 3 sec is recommended.

Box <Maximum stun-to-stick interval>

Stun to stick interval post head-only stunning should be minimised as far as possible, as animals may recover
consciousness before death from blood loss occurs. An interval of not greater than 15 seconds is preferable.

Box <Frequency of calibration of the equipment>

Need to be planned, following equipment instructions.

Box <Optimisation of the current flow>

E.g. by wetting the animals to allow a better conductivity.

Box <Prevention of electrical shocks before stunning>

Electrical stunning may cause skin burns that will be painful in conscious animals and may even prevent the
passage of an adequate current to induce unconsciousness. In addition, handling and restraint will cause
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stress as, at the outset, the animal will not be free to escape the pressure of the electrodes, which may be
sharp and hurt it.

Box <Position and contact surface area of the electrodes>

Electrodes that are incorrectly placed, not suited to the size of the animal, or unclean or dirty will deliver
inadequate electrical current to the brain due to incorrect waveform, frequency, voltage or current.

Pop-up <Skin burns>

The incidence of this is increased when the currents are too low due to a high electrical resistance and
inadequate voltage. There is no good data on the overall incidence of skin burns. Other adverse side effects
could occur, especially if the equipment is malfunctioning. Electrical currents through the brain will alter the
biochemistry of the brain, but it may also affect the biochemistry of other tissues (e.g. muscle), causing
haemorrhages and muscle fibre ruptures and broken bones.

Pop-up <Inadequate electrical current>

If the current is lower than recommended, unconsciousness may not be immediate and, therefore, animals
experience electric shocks, and even cardiac arrest, which in a conscious animal may be painful. Electrical
stimulation of muscle causes contractions that can be painful in a conscious animal. There is a possibility of
uncertainty in outcome due to variation in equipment performance, and to varying resistances between
animals.
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The learning objective of this topic is to acquire appropriate skills on electrical stunning for poultry
(waterbath): you will see, in particular, the method description, the legal parameters, and the poor stunning
reasons and recommendations.
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... Pre-stun shocks may occur in the following situations:

• If the bird’s wing touches the side of waterbath or the live water prior to its head making contact with the
water
• If electrically live water overflows from the water bath at the entrance.

The video shows some birds raising their heads provoking a proportion of them to lead with their wing into
the waterbath, instead of the head. Calming measures at hang on and on moving them along the shackle line
can facilitate a good electrical stunning.
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Pop-up <Application>
The rules set out in Annex II about the layout and construction of slaughterhouses and the equipment used
therein will apply to new facilities that will enter into operation after 1 January 2013 and, from 8 December
2019, to all slaughterhouses.

Pop-up <Current frequency>

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The survival of broilers after waterbath stunning is directly linked to the current frequency. Research shows
that if 10% of birds survive 50 Hz stunning, there will be 50% survival at 400 Hz and 70% at 1000 Hz (Raj, 2006;
Hindle et al, 2010).
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Pop-up <Bird dimensions>

If small birds are attached to the shackles in the same line as bigger birds and the level of water in the bath is
not adequate, it is possible that the contact of the bird with water is not optimal, hence resulting in a lack of
stunning effectiveness. It is fundamental to have an adequate level of immersion for different consignments,
which may vary in size. Moreover, birds that miss the waterbath stunners are still physically in contact with
adjacent birds and are, thus, likely to receive painful electrical shocks.

Pop-up <Handling procedures>

The force of the hanging procedure can cause pain because the affected bone surface is enriched with pain
receptors, causing up to 90% of birds to flap their wings due to pain. These painful experiences can predispose
birds to miss the electrified waterbath: they raise their head due to painful stimuli and hence miss the
waterbath. For these reasons, it is fundamental to check the stunning effectiveness on the birds themselves
and not just the parameters of the stunning equipment.

Pop-up <Resistance>
The shackles and associated structures, together with the bird itself, create inductive resistance to the
current, thus, are potential pathways for loss of electrical capacity. These sources of resistance are variable
due to bird resistivity and shackle condition. These variations in resistance can influence the quality of the
stun to such an extent that some birds receive too much while others receive insufficient current.
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The learning objective of this topic is to know how to perform accurately the gas stunning of pigs and poultry:
you will learn about the method description, the legal parameters, and the poor stunning reasons and
recommendations.
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....The use of anoxic gases, such as argon, nitrogen or mixtures of these gases seem to have animal welfare
advantages because anoxia induced with these gas mixtures is not aversive.
In 2004, the EFSA concluded that aversion to high concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2, usually above 30%)
is a welfare problem. The Recital 6 of the Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 says: "Recommendations to
phase out the use of carbon dioxide for pigs are not included in this Regulation because the impact
assessment revealed that such recommendations are not economically viable at present in the EU. However,
it is important to continue this discussion in the future". A version of gas mixtures and the mental state of
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animals during the induction of unconsciousness need further evaluation to develop humane mixtures and
to facilitate better understanding and determination of suffering in animals.

Reference: EFSA (2004) Welfare aspects of the main systems of stunning and killing the main commercial
species of animals .EFSA Journal 45, 1-29

Pop-up <Carbon dioxide>

Carbon dioxide is a colourless, odourless gas with a slightly acid taste that is present in all living organisms
and is the principal molecule liberated when food is metabolized. The anaesthetic properties of CO2 have
been known for over 150 years. The presence of CO2 in the blood is sensed by specific CO2-sensitive
chemoceptors that stimulate respiration, heart rate and blood pressure. Carbon dioxide is eliminated through
the lungs in expired air in a proportion of approximately 4%.

Pop-up <Specific facilities>

Specific facilities could be pits, tunnels, containers or building previously sealed (EC Regulation 1099/2009,
Annex I).

More Info <Regulations>

EC Regulation 1099/2009, Annex I, Chapter II, Specific requirements, Point 7

Carbon dioxide at high concentration
In the case of pigs, mustelids and chinchillas, the minimum concentration of 80 % of carbon dioxide shall be
used.

Box <Dip lift system>

Groups of pigs are lowered directly into maximum concentrations of carbon dioxide at the bottom of the pit.
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Box < Paternoster>

Groups of 2 to 6 pigs are lowered into the bottom of the pit with stops during the procedure as live pigs enter
or unconscious pigs leave the gondolas for sticking.

More Info <Observations>

On animal welfare grounds, the ability to move animals in groups with less handling and restraint is an
advantage for all gas stunning or stun/killing systems compared with mechanical or electrical methods.
Moreover, the dip-lift loading system is perceived to be more welfare-friendly than the paternoster system.

Pop-up <Simple or irreversible stunning>

Under normal conditions in the slaughterhouse, pig stunning with a high concentration of CO2 is simple
stunning. However, scientific research has shown that prolonged exposure to high concentrations of CO2
may result in irreversible stunning.
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Pop-up <up to 40%>

Most broiler chickens seem to tolerate concentrations up to 40% carbon dioxide. Concentrations higher than
40 or 55% seem to cause pain or other unpleasantness since they cause an increase in withdrawal or marked
withdrawal.

Pop-up <High CO2 concentrations>

Existing knowledge indicates that exposure of poultry to 20% carbon dioxide for 30 seconds would not be
sufficient to induce unconsciousness and, therefore, subsequent exposure to higher concentrations may be
aversive. Scientific and technological development of multi-phase carbon dioxide killing systems should
consider using distinctly separated (compartmentalised) concentrations in order to separate not yet
unconscious birds from higher and aversive concentrations of carbon dioxide.

More Info <Regulations>

EC Regulation 1099/2009, Annex I, Chapter I, Table 3, No.2
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More Info <Regulations>

EC Regulation 1099/2009, Annex II
Layout, construction and equipment of slaughterhouses

6. Gas stunning equipment for pigs and poultry

6.1. Gas stunners, including conveyor belts, shall be designed and built to:
(a) optimise the application of stunning by gas;
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(b) prevent injury or contusions to the animals;

(c) minimise struggle and vocalisation when animals are restrained.

Box <Carbon dioxide concentration>

At least 80% for pigs, up to 40% for poultry.

Box < Duration of exposure>

Regulation 1099/2009 does not mandate an exposure time however the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code
stipulates an exposure time of at least3 minutes for pigs and 2 minutes for poultry.

Box <Maximum stun-to-stick interval(s)>

When exposure to gas mixtures result in simple stunning, it is fundamental to carry out bleeding as soon as
possible.

Box <Quality of the gas>

It is important to ensure the correct gas composition to reach the provided concentrations.

Box <Temperature of the gas>

Under no circumstances shall gases enter into the chamber or the location where animals are to be stunned
and killed in a way that it could create burns or excitement by freezing or lack of humidity (Annex I, Point 8).

Pop-up <OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code>

For poultry, the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code, Art. 7.5.7, recommends:
• a minimum of 2 minutes exposure to 40% CO2, 30% O2 and 30% N2, followed
by a minimum of 1 minute exposure to 80% CO2 in air;
• a minimum of 2 minutes exposure to a minimum of 55 % CO2 in air. For pigs,
the minimum exposure time recommended is 3 minutes.

Link: http://www.oie.int/index.php?id=169&L=0&htmfile=chapitre_1.7.5.htm
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Pop-up <simple stunning>

Some research indicates that for pigs, it is simple stunning if the duration of exposure to at least 30% of CO2
is of less than 7 minutes. For poultry it is simple stunning if the overall duration of exposure to at least 30%
of CO2 is of less than 3 minutes.

Pop-up <humidity>
Moreover, the control of temperature and humidity of any gas mixture used for stunning could improve the
welfare of the animals because inhalation of warm and humidified air helps them to alleviate physical
discomfort and distress.

Bunching and overcrowding of animals has to be avoided. Overloading increases the risk of unnecessary
excitement or insufficient stunning effectiveness (e.g. chicken might be hiding their heads under other
animals) and may lead to bruising increases.
Chickens are stunned within the transport crates and it is necessary that no parts of the bird’s body should
protrude out of the crates. Overloading of containers may lead to irregular supply and piling up of broilers
on the conveyor belts.

Birds should reach the recommended gas mixtures within 10 seconds after leaving atmospheric air. The
interval between the end of exposure to gas mixture and neck cutting is likely to be long, at least in some
birds. The duration of unconsciousness induced with gas stunning will have to be longer than required under
electrical stunning situations to prevent a return of consciousness either prior to neck cutting or during
bleeding. There should be adequate monitoring of gas concentrations of the system and efficient evacuation
in the event of any system failure
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In this topic, you will learn about slaughter without stunning.

Pop-up <Member States>

For that reason, veterinary inspectors should consult their national legislation in this regard.

Pop-up <Regulations>
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EC Regulation 1099/2009, Art. 4

4. In the case of animals subject to particular methods of slaughter prescribed by religious rites, the
requirements of paragraph 1 (Stunning of animal before slaughtering) shall not apply provided that the
slaughter takes place in a slaughterhouse.

Pop-up <Regulations>

EC Regulation 1099/2009, Art. 15

2. Business operators shall ensure that all animals that are killed in accordance with Article 4(4) without prior
stunning are individually restrained; ruminants shall be mechanically restrained.
Systems restraining bovine animals by inversion or any unnatural position shall not be used except in the case
of animals slaughtered in accordance with Article 4(4) and provided that they are fitted with a device that
restricts both the lateral and vertical movement of the head of the animal and are adjustable to be adapted
to the size of the animal.

EC Regulation 1099/2009, Art. 16

2. The monitoring procedures referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall describe the way the checks
referred to in Article 5 have to be carried out and shall include at least the following:
(b) indicators designed to detect the absence of signs of life in the animals slaughtered in accordance with
Article 4(4);
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The learning objective of the last topic of this unit is to know how to evaluate the stunning effectiveness.
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Pop-up <problematic>

Both effectively and ineffectively stunned broiler chickens exhibit seizures and apnoea (absence of
breathing); therefore, these are not good indicators of unconsciousness and insensibility following electrical
stunning.
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