Welfare of animals at the time of killing

This consultation invited views on proposals to implement Council Regulation (EC) 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing, in England, with effect from 1 January 2013. Defra was seeking views on proposed measures to implement:

• the legal obligations in Regulation 1099/2009;
• national rules to maintain existing welfare standards where these are higher than those in Regulation 1099/2009;
• transitional measures;
• criminal and administrative sanctions and penalties for breaches of Regulation 1099/2009 and stricter national rules.

Following consultation new domestic regulations, The Welfare of Animals at the time of Killing (England) Regulations 2012 (WATOK) will be laid before Parliament at the end of 2012 to implement and enforce Regulation 1099/2009 and to repeal and replace the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 (insofar as they apply to England), save for certain transitional provisions. The new domestic regulations will apply in England only. Separate implementing regulations will be made in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

• Welfare at slaughter
• The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 (as amended)
• Council Regulation (EC) 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing