HSA publishes welfare guidance for small poultry producers
The Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) has produced new, updated animal welfare guidance aimed at small-scale and seasonal poultry producers and processors.
The guidance highlights that small-scale and seasonal slaughter is also subject to regulations additional to those relating to animal welfare at slaughter.
These include registration with the environmental health department of the relevant local authority to ensure compliance with animal health, animal by-product licensing and collection and disposal requirements.
The organisation says the guidance is in response to numerous enquiries from existing and prospective producers on the electrical stunning and bleeding of poultry.
HSA’s technical director, Charlie Mason, said: “This guidance highlights and explains the particular requirements applicable to those carrying out small-scale and seasonal slaughter, which is subject to animal welfare legislative requirements in a similar way to large-scale, commercial poultry producers and processors.
“However, in relation to welfare at the time of slaughter, the application of certain requirements, such as licensing, is dependent on the nature and scale of the operation.”
The guidance, Technical Note 27, is available to download free of charge from the charity’s website.
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