Restriction) (No. 2).

A

BILL

ΤΟ

Regulate the methods of slaughtering animals and A.D. 1928. for purposes relating thereto.

BE

E it enacted by the King's most Excellent Majesty by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, 5 as follows:-

1. A person shall not, whether in a slaughterhouse Methods of or elsewhere, proceed to bleed any animal until it shall slaughtering have been effectually stunned with a mechanically animals. operated instrument of a type sufficient and suitable for 10 the purpose by applying the muzzle of the instrument to the head of the animal in such a manner as will cause the bullet or bolt of the instrument when fired to render the animal insensible to pain.

2. Every person acting as a killer in connection Killer to be 15 with the business of slaughtering animals for food shall licensed. be required to be licensed by a local authority, and such licence shall not be granted under this Act unless the local authority is satisfied that the person is qualified by physical condition, training and ability, to handle animals 20 without causing suffering, and to handle the instrument effectively.

driving

3. Every person engaged in driving or bringing any Regulation of animal to the place of slaughter shall adopt such methods persons and precautions as will prevent the infliction upon the animals to 25 animal of unnecessary suffering or pain.

place of slaughter.

Definitions

4. No person under the age of sixteen years shall be admitted to, or permitted to remain in, a slaughterhouse during the process of slaughtering or cutting up the carcase of animal.

any

5. The licence of a person who acts as killer in con- 5 nection with the business of slaughtering animals for food shall expire on such day in every year as the local authority fix, and a fee not exceeding five shillings may be charged for the licence.

6. A licence may be suspended or revoked by the 10 local authority whenever they deem such suspension or revocation to be necessary or desirable in the interests of the public, provided that the existence of the power to suspend or revoke the licence shall be plainly stated on the licence itself.

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7. Any constable or accredited officer of a society approved by the Minister of Health for the protection or defence of animals may enter slaughterhouses or any place where he has reason to believe that any animal is being, or is about to be, killed for the purpose of the 20 flesh being used for butcher's meat, for the purpose of examining whether there is any contravention therein of this Act.

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8. In this Act, the expression slaughterhouse " and applica- means any building, premises, or place used for the 25 purpose of the business of a slaughterer.

tion.

The expression "killer" means any person who, whether in a slaughterhouse or elsewhere, kills or is employed to kill animals for the purpose of the flesh being used for butcher's meat.

The expression "animal" means any horse, mare, gelding, pony, foal, colt, filly, stallion, donkey, mule, bull, cow, bullock, heifer, calf, steer, ox, sheep, ewe, ram, lamb, pig, boar, hog, sow, goat or kid.

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The expression "local authority" means in the case 35 of the city of London, the mayor, aldermen, and commons of the city in common council assembled; in the case of the county of London, exclusive of the city of London, the London County Council; in the case of a borough, the council of a borough; and in any other case the urban 40 or district council.

In the application of this Act to Scotland the expres- A.D. 1928. sion "local authority means the local authority for

the purpose of the Public Health (Scotland) Act, 1897.

9. This Act may be cited as the Humane Slaughter Short title 5 of Animals Act, 1928, and shall come into force at such and comdate, not exceeding twelve months from the date of the mencement. passing of this Act, as may be decided by the Order of

the Ministry of Health.