Ref. Ares(2019)7813004 - 19/12/2019
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Audit 2014-7075 of 03 March 2014 in order to evaluate the animal welfare controls in place at slaughter and during related operations
Recommendation
Basis for assessment
Current Status
2014-7075-8
The report states that whereas the slaughter of animals without unnecessary pain or suffering Closed due to action
is generally ensured in red meat slaughterhouses, in poultry slaughterhouses the welfare of taken
To enforce the stunning parameters
the birds is compromised due to the absence of backup stunning equipment, the wrong
specified in Annex I of Regulation
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Audit 2014-7075 of 03 March 2014 in order to evaluate the animal welfare controls in place at slaughter and during related operations
Recommendation
Basis for assessment
Current Status
(EC) No 1099/2009 for electrical
amperage used and the incorrect bleeding cut performed. The fact that SOPs in
waterbath stunners so as to ensure
slaughterhouses do not include all the criteria required by the Regulation hinders business
the loss of consciousness and
operators from identifying the problems causing unnecessary suffering to the animals. The
sensibility of the animals from the
CCA is however still allowing business operators of poultry slaughterhouses which were
moment of stunning until the
operating before the Regulation came into force, to apply currents for water-bath equipment
moment of death, as required by
that are below the minimum required by the Regulation.
Article 4(1) of Regulation (EC) No
Competent authority response
1099/2009.
The CCA expressed their concerns regarding the electrical parameters of Regulation
Conclusions and findings upon
1099/2009, suggesting that they should be modified, in order to guarantee welfare conditions
which this recommendation is based: and at the same time avoid haemorrhages. The central competent authority requested the
51, 57, 59 and 62
National Reference Centre for Animal Welfare (IZS Brescia) to carry out, in collaboration
with the stakeholders, a specific study aimed at identifying adequate electrical parameters for
poultry stunning without relevant effect on meat quality [document provided].
In the context of the 2016 GFA, the central competent authority explained that the Ministry
of Health has received from the National Reference Centre for animal welfare a first report on
the laboratory trial carried out to test stunning conditions for loss of consciousness in birds
(copy provided). The results of this trial indicate ideal parameters to ensure effective stunning
without causing haemorrhages and the suggested parameters are in line with the ones of
Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009. The central competent authority clarified that they intend to
ensure that the stunning parameters specified in Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 for
electrical water bath stunners are complied with through verification within their sectoral
audits. A copy of the report of an audit carried by the central competent authority in
Lombardia in April 2016, which included in its scope the verification of compliance with legal
requirements for the electrical parameters for the water bath stunning of birds, was provided.
In the context of the general follow-up audit carried out in December 2018, the Italian
Authority explained that letter n. 2791 of 3 February 2017 [copy provided] sent to the regional
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Audit 2014-7075 of 03 March 2014 in order to evaluate the animal welfare controls in place at slaughter and during related operations
Recommendation
Basis for assessment
Current Status
veterinary services requested them to verify the regular implementation of amperage
parameters during the stunning of poultry in the slaughterhouses, in line with the requirements
of Annex II of Regulation (EC) 1099/2009.
The CCA explained that on 8 March 2017, a meeting took place with the regional authorities
and representatives of industry associations concerning the “electrical water bath stunning”,
which showed a mixed picture of the territory. Therefore, with letter 7941 of 28 March 2017
[copy provided] the Regions were asked to conduct a survey in order to identify which
establishments did not comply with legislation.
Lastly, with letter n. 24021 of 27 September 2018 [copy provided], the CCA urged the
Regions to send up-dated information on actions taken to guarantee the respect of electrical
parameters of stunning bath in slaughterhouses.
The CCA stated that, following the letter above, 12 regions provided data that they have in
total 58 poultry slaughterhouses using electrical water bath stunning following parameters
specified in Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009. 6 regions have no poultry
slaughterhouses. However, two Regions provided unclear information.
In reply to the draft country profile the Competent Authority provided in July 2019 the
following update: Information concerning the enforcement of the electrical stunning
parameters has been received for the two remaining regions (copies provided). These confirm
that the concerned slaughterhouses apply the parameters specified in Annex I of Regulation
(EC) No 1099/2009 for electrical water bath stunners.
Assessment:
Progress has been made to comply with stunning parameters required by EU law, and
information confirming enforcement of the stunning parameters specified in Annex I of
Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 for electrical water bath stunners, has now been provided for
all regions concerned, thus this recommendation has been addressed.
DG(SANTE) 2018-6306
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Document Outline
- Introduction
- Summary of the progress made by the Member State in the implementation of recommendations made by DG Health and Food Safety
- 1. Main issues
- 2. Follow up status of recommendations
- 2.A HORIZONTAL RECOMMENDATIONS
- 2.B SECTORAL RECOMMENDATIONS
- 2.B.1 Animal Health
- 2.B.2 Food of animal origin
- 2.B.3 Imports of animals and food of animal origin
- 2.B.4 Feedingstuffs and animal nutrition
- 2.B.5 TSE\ABP
- 2.B.6 Veterinary medicines and residues
- 2.B.7 Foodstuffs and food hygiene
- 2.B.8 Imports of food of plant origin
- 2.B.9 Plant protection products
- 2.B.10 Animal welfare
- 2.B.11 Plant health
- 2.B.12 Quality Labelling
- 3. Overview of audits not covered in this country profile
- 3A published reports
- 3B - ongoing and planned audits
- ANNEX I – ACRONYMS, ABBREVIATIONS, SPECIAL TERMS