Know the facts: Animal welfare at slaughter

• Animals must be protected from avoidable pain and distress
• Clear legal standards apply in Scotland
• Only trained and competent staff may carry out slaughter operations
• Food business operators are responsible for animal welfare
• Official controls are in place to monitor animal welfare 

Protecting animal welfare at slaughter is a legal requirement and a core part of the food system in Scotland. Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) work to ensure animals are protected from avoidable pain, distress or suffering before and during slaughter through regulation, inspection, and interventions in approved slaughterhouses. 

1. Animals must be protected from avoidable pain and distress 

Legislation requires that animals are spared any avoidable pain, distress, or suffering during slaughter and related operations. This applies from arrival at the slaughterhouse through handling, restraint, stunning, and bleeding. 

2. Clear legal standards apply in Scotland 

Animal welfare at slaughter in Scotland is governed by assimilated Regulation (EU) 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing and the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (Scotland) Regulations 2012. These set requirements for facilities, equipment, and slaughter practices.

3. Only trained and competent staff may carry out slaughter operations 

Anyone involved in handling animals, stunning or killing must be appropriately trained and hold a Certificate of Competence. This helps ensure animals are handled competently and slaughtered using legal and effective methods. 

4. Food business operators are responsible for animal welfare 

Slaughterhouse operators are responsible for the welfare of animals in their care. They must have suitable facilities and procedures in place, to ensure animals’ needs are met, and make sure staff follow legal and welfare requirements. 

5. Official controls are in place to monitor animal welfare 

Official Veterinarians and Official Auxiliaries, employed by FSS, carry out welfare checks covering unloading, handling and care, restraint, stunning and bleeding. Where welfare breaches are identified, appropriate enforcement and proportionate action is taken, for example reported to the relevant Competent Authority if different from FSS. 

We work to monitor and enforce animal welfare standards in all approved slaughterhouses in Scotland. Through official controls and oversight, we ensure that legal welfare requirements are met and that any poor practices are swiftly identified and addressed.