Archived - Annex C - Objective Criteria for Humane Slaughter – Red Meat Species and Poultry
This page has been archived
This page was archived due to the coming into force of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations. Archived information is provided for reference, research or record-keeping purposes only. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. For current information visit Food.
Objective Criteria for Humane Slaughter – Red Meat Species
| Criteria | Cattle | Pigs | Sheep | Horses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stunning | 95% or > | Placement 1% error allowed Hot wanding 1% error allowed Gondolas 4% |
95% or > accuracy | 95% or > |
| Insensibility on the bleed rail | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Slips & Falls | 1% or < falls document slips but do not audit |
1% or < falls document slips but do not audit |
1% or < falls document slips but do not audit |
1% or < falls document slips but do not audit |
| Vocalization | 5% or less | 5% or less | Do not audit in this species | Do not audit in this species |
| Prod Use | 25% or less | 25% or less | Do not use | Do not use |
| Willful Acts of cruelty | None | None | None | None |
| Water | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Note: In the case of gas stunning:
- Handlers must be careful not to overload the gondolas (elevator boxes) that hold groups of pigs.
- In a properly loaded gondola, the pigs must have sufficient room to stand or lie down without being on top of each other.
- Handlers must never overload the gondolas by forcing pigs to jump on top of each other.
Objective Criteria for Humane Slaughter – Poultry
| Stunner | Cut/neck slitter (automatic) | Entering Scalder Table Note 1 | Deliberate acts of cruelty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sample Size | 500 | 500 | 500 | All birds observed |
| Minimum requirements | 98% rendered insensible | 98% birds killed | No sensible/uncut neck birds | None (zero tolerance) |
Table Notes
- Table Note 1
-
Birds must be monitored on the bleed line to ensure that they do not regain consciousness before death.
| Stunner | Cut/neck slitter (automatic) | Entering Scalder Table Note 2 | Deliberate acts of cruelty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sample Size | 100 | 100 | 100 | All birds observed |
| Minimum requirements | 98% rendered insensible | 98% birds killed | No sensible/uncut neck birds | None (zero tolerance) |
Table Notes
- Table Note 2
-
Birds must be monitored on the bleed line to ensure that they do not regain consciousness before death.
- Date modified: