Slaughterhouse Report:Layout 1 24/8/09 13:41 Page 1

the humane slaughter myth

An Animal Aid Investigation into UK Slaughterhouses

www.animalaid.org.uk Slaughterhouse Report:Layout 1 24/8/09 13:42 Page 2

the humane slaughter myth An Animal Aid Investigation into UK Slaughterhouses Researched and written by Kate Fowler

Contents

Executive Summary ...... 1

Introduction ...... 3

Pre-Stunning Stress ...... 4 Rough Handling and Violence ...... 4 Goading ...... 5 Unnecessary Noise ...... 5 Frightening Odours ...... 6 Slippery and Uneven Floors ...... 6 Delays ...... 6

Stunning ...... 7 Electrical Stunning ...... 7 Problems Witnessed with Electrical Stunning ...... 7 Captive Bolt Stunning ...... 12 Problems Witnessed with Captive Bolt Stunning ...... 13

Shackling ...... 15

Stun-to-Stick Interval ...... 16

Slaughter ...... 19

Vulnerable Animals ...... 20 Sick Animals ...... 20 Mothers and their Young ...... 20

Emotions of the Animals ...... 22

Staff ...... 24 Desensitised ...... 24 Callousness ...... 24 Bullying ...... 24

Training ...... 26

Enforcement ...... 27

Evidence of Breaches ...... 28

Animal Aid’s Recommendations ...... 29

References ...... 29

Published by Animal Aid – August 2009 • ISBN: 978-1-905327-19-5 Slaughterhouse Report:Layout 1 24/8/09 13:42 Page 3

... we filmed 1,747 animals being stunned and 1,136 animals being slaughtered ...

executive summary

• Ewes being stunned while a lamb suckled them • Ewes watching as their young are killed • A sheep too sick to stand – or possibly already dead – being brought to slaughter in a wheelbarrow • Pigs falling from the slaughter line into the blood pit and being dragged out and re-shackled while other pigs look on • An inadequately stunned young calf lying kicking on the floor while the stun operator stands on him to keep him still • Animals screaming and struggling to escape • Animals being kicked in the face and thrown to the floor • Animals with illness or injury being slaughtered Between January and June 2009, Animal • Electric tongs used as a goad Aid secretly filmed in three randomly chosen British slaughterhouses: As well as a number of dramatic and shocking incidents, the hours of footage obtained clearly illustrate systemic • JV Richards (Rietfontein) Ltd in failures in the stunning and slaughtering of animals and Cornwall – pigs, sheep, calves; bring into question issues of training, assessment and filmed on five occasions enforcement. • AC Hopkins (Taunton) Ltd in Somerset – pigs, sheep; filmed on four occasions Animal Aid’s investigation has yielded one immutable fact: • Pickstock Ashby Ltd in Derbyshire in the modern world of meat and milk production, there is – cows; filmed on two occasions no such thing as humane slaughter. We filmed 1,747 animals being stunned and 1,136 animals being slaughtered. as a result of this investigation, The investigation was undertaken in

response to the plethora of television animal aid is calling for: y r a m

programmes and ‘celebrity’ chefs who CCTV to be installed in all slaughterhouses, and its film to m

• u s

have sought to present the slaughter be made available to a panel that includes a representative e v i t

of farmed animals as pain-free, clean of Animal Aid. u c e

and quick. x • Ongoing training for all abattoir workers and a change in the e h t law so that they are formally re-tested every three years. y m r e • The immediate revocation of the AC Hopkins’ stun operator/ t in 40 hours of footage h g u

slaughterer’s licence, and his prosecution to answer charges a l

animal aid filmed... s

that he breached animal welfare law. e n a

Animals going to the knife without m • • An independent investigation into the reasons for this worker’s u h

adequate stunning e deficient performance, including an assessment of the role of h t

Animals stunned and then allowed to the AC Hopkins’ management, the Meat Hygiene Service and 1 • e g a

come round again the Official Veterinarians. p Slaughterhouse Report:Layout 1 24/8/09 13:42 Page 4

TWO YOUNG CALVES WATCH AS A FELLOW CALF IS STUNNED Slaughterhouse Report:Layout 1 24/8/09 13:42 Page 5

... in many cases, the suffering inflicted, the terror experienced and the insensitivity of the stun N E

operator was utterly shocking ... V E K _ W A L © introduction

In recent months, the industry has sought to convince the public that at the slaughterhouse animals slaughtered for their meat experience a ‘humane’ death. In mocked-up mini-abattoirs under studio Animals brought to the abattoir may be held for several lights, a single animal is typically led hours, including overnight, in an area called a ‘lairage’. in and – with the world watching – is They wait there in pens before being taken either to the killed by an experienced slaughterman stun room, if they are sheep, pigs or calves, or to the stun using best practice and taking his time box, if they are cows. Groups of animals will be brought to stun accurately and efficiently, and to the stun room and, one at a time, they will be stunned to slaughter by the rulebook. by a powerful electric current that passes through their brains via tongs placed on either side of their heads. In reality, hundreds or thousands of animals Cows will be stunned using a ‘captive bolt’, which shoots might be killed in one abattoir in a single day. a retractable bolt into their brains at high pressure. All None of them will experience the kind of animals will then be shackled and hoisted and have the ‘humane’ slaughter showcased on television. main blood vessels in their throats or chests severed. Instead, our film shows pigs and sheep kicked and shoved into the stun room, and frightened animals running and twisting in In many cases, the suffering inflicted, the terror experienced and panic. In the melee, animals slipped, fell and the insensitivity of the stun operator were utterly shocking. cried out. All too often, the electric stunning The three abattoirs in which we filmed were randomly chosen. tongs made contact for too short a time or One slaughters cattle; the other two slaughter pigs and sheep, did not span the brain, and delivered, instead, and, when we filmed, one of them also slaughtered calves. The nothing more than painful electric shocks. footage taken provides a snapshot of the British slaughter industry and indicates that, across the country, millions of animals every year suffer extreme fear and physical pain as they are killed for human consumption.

While it may be tempting to lay the blame solely with n o i t

those who stun the animals and wield the knife, the c u d

responsibility for so much animal suffering must be shared o r t n – between the consumer, the monitoring and training i h t y

agencies, the government and the industry. m r e t h g u a We filmed: l s e

1071 sheep being stunned 473 pigs being stunned n • • a m u • 862 sheep being slaughtered • 240 pigs being slaughtered h e h 34 lambs being stunned 12 calves being stunned t

• • 3 e g

• 34 lambs being slaughtered • 157 cows being stunned a p Slaughterhouse Report:Layout 1 24/8/09 13:42 Page 6

... the slaughterer used the electric stunning tongs as a goad, in addition to administering regular kicks ...

pre-stunning stress

rough handling and So habitual was this behaviour that, on more than one occasion, violence pigs were kicked in the face even when the workers did not appear to be trying to make them move. And the worker charged Animals brought to the stun room with shackling the pigs kicked out in anger as a scared animal – experienced assaults and severe who was running around the room and screaming – ran into him stresses, even before they were and hurt his hand. stunned. At AC Hopkins, as one pig walked over the top of another pig, who was lying partially stunned on the floor in the overcrowded room, Groups of pigs and sheep often sensed the stun operator shouted angrily and then lashed out at him with danger as they approached the stun room the tongs, delivering an electric shock. door and turned to leave. To speed things along, the frightened animals were sometimes kicked and shoved inside. They ‘No person shall lift or drag, or cause or permit to be were shouted at and slapped on their rumps, lifted or dragged, any animal by the head, horns, ears, even when there was no space into which feet, tail, fleece or any other part of its body in such a those being hit could move. Some sheep who way as to cause it unnecessary pain or suffering.’ did not move fast enough were picked up by Schedule 3, Part III, Paragraph 7 The Welfare of their fleece or by their ears and thrown to the Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 ground. In one instance, an unwilling sheep was dragged into the stun room by his head. Once inside, the rough handling and violence ‘No person shall inflict any blow or kick to any animal.’ continued. At JV Richards, it was routine to Schedule 3, Part III, Paragraph 12 The Welfare kick pigs in the face to force them to move. of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995

A PIG RECEIVES A CASUAL KICK IN THE HEAD s s e r t s g n i n n u t s - e r p h t y m r e t h g u a l s e n a m u h e h t 4 e g a p Slaughterhouse ani the ba di be an ca ev ti po ma adi t Ga S unecsary el At goading me l e A d. aught e not c l si AC c mal i e k SHEP e y r e k but t t The t e l s r o e h T cS h mu sh an or ap an st pe ‘No s ve Report:Layout 124/8/0913:43Page7 ri s, i ect i on on one c wi t H u c s he o y che r p y r shoulders cow K y sa er lang f opk a n s st r m ck r t lie or f vo d e t goads p i l i ot Wl e h nim cle nig om IS c o houses unig p n i l erso it o ca lise. s the s he s adminst ering u DRAGE igs ins with f s] him. , hock, to s e l g a a those the ra f e y mac hiner a ar r re ) o n , as l or n electr move be ,3 ea inst wer f g e R the move elect cer pig’s O shal , aplied the to ngs can kilng a But t r a P f o necks ther s used, ne e conta rument s pil tainty means u INTO ic l n A adminste aught ere to hin i t a l pig ric be much e res un us to ov I noise a a i ,I THE is l a m whir dq n o ngs. cts s equ and an extr cur les er e pons wa re mo ra a P on t tha go a s uar or gular y of STUN wh and, of s a ly s s goa rs ren eme r ipment od 1 ea e While electr dminster r touche e e caus s S ( , makin 9 9 h rp a g the re ters t ich co us ach uch rs o so re d t tha t a l ROM d o y l kic ks 5 . t to nve ed – unds as f he h g u nois to .’ nois e co ical a we in o [ s d nd the or their g nie pigs or n 1 ome urs TO e t e 13 ed 1 – y. to fr o nt is ENCOURAG r e, to m OTHERS unec Cha i onl mov e suden We us cas al when TO A ong ing y PIG FOLW e, s a e M ‘N i n A di no use must a P ns, we w a d a not a w es r IS o is r e thr o re it wor l a m ise c and a whi sar GOADE w ct e o h ,t hai g bei orke f ani be r le t F ugh cont ker ch y a he fr mor s n shoc a vel ng p ma om and m r a m – h rs ar bl t t a i ON s.’ ade e r used. an nto 6 l a e S o s ki regul equipm A co ul 5 ri J sui l l used THE in a ng, i n V ng , adit o the t h g u e R to f m Ri the i tab d y arl SHOULDER radi the and char a o p da c stun to iona l le r l e ent ea r W r o. mpe r w s ope s t t m ds hout e hac k he r o y a o l Ma y l r l a ate f a n oo m a banged ra nd K nd ani n be hi c t r l i le e h e to tor t ri hi sour l mal m uneces s y b i als o C y ner w gn , the ee n one s. We ac i th t u s ces hem A so hineyr out ani c n P l re a to c another w a f a g ons as a i t r re m r l fr i o , a c , s e but f y ar al te d ate 1 0 2 ghte n rhythm i l to o bleder a eft no : s is f e R 0 onc r a r noise. fe a F ise and 3 runi e unde l a a s d duce ttem o m r t rf ul e he or o the s stu or f n d e ing r an mak y. g a pt the ce . , n n In imals. even n wal lou oise ed on e No d , yl e w t as

page 5 the humane slaughter myth pre-stunning stress Slaughterhouse page 6 the humane slaughter myth pre-stunning stress J a st But d t up a sni a 20 A o a r g a f r g w Bl i br I unde f sho de a r Whi delays r Bl fl ors sli pery Ani fri ghtening s n he e o o o V ni f no ni nd a er re se pig a r o o uti om o o o c re the nger si sheep f mals mals r Ri o o be mals om ught up up si m Gui in s w s ‘ Trai we d fi e t s sl l the A gned cur Report:Layout 124/8/0913:43Page8 a her d d e the i y nel y ma o t ng r x c inut augh h dy un n c ent tw oo tf c -and th har ani bov and and of of or f omonpla ce. a o ima an dan e n w uneven al ee s r nig r g on e r g i r w t br in er is nt pi pi e o l mals ol ootf ing. w as be ds bodie s . o l to ine so som er y onl s. oup pe n t t ea g ur ur -a- ought ed gs gs O o st the ls l as ce stun erer t pr e o out pre sent help r g ur o wa s r of the ine ine n. the ir t eed la stun must ac tice pens n half was was the left left st No te r e oups ar while or f ad ’ eluc tanc s films Slaught s as into them and un of in lef t stun e hit to urface into to the stun in or f 15 minutes box , oo tf ing. left left not the the the to s them unles not v elea on the of t a to the on a – hackle s and At bo m the odurs minute pe how ime the co or f alone s anima ls co ra ro o r bo the unev uch the an the the AC e, oo upos die emr en, g b is s n nve n ws – ro und. tun e th stun s the s 13 is imal m m a unle a t tha s out s So liper but Ho slo placed re a nd L f t longer . te dia mels AC a loo se nie he read o in s; who icens we t a nd pe minutes me las f ed pkins, ping s r . lis pa rious s t a r the while the o a nt JV is Ho s r n que oper In D hois e o nimals of t ines yl ing to rt fe the y ca efr JV o f m wit hin. fe w tloi cn a placed , pkins one ing not Richa r stun stune O the f l of brea in to aling. be r loo no caus o a t tha t o ne ator s Richa o a almo o ; ft e ne the the ve d s cle a and per ca r r g s hee o t ches pen tun n a is r ds, e get ir oup se m. nd tora d st rds ned f o p or , f them fr inc or bei One bro kept ro of the in mi om A pre-stun sumary ig om • • • • • • whi nutes c reas ng TYPICAL Y ught hains ina sl so De Sl Fri Une Go Ro in . one aughte f c st Bec or l ip urc h ed t gh a ugh la uned, g he i we pe di n, seven e ro ys r g t a aus e teni ces the xtended ng up, stun s y r re oup of AC CROWDE r ha tuned e l sar ti w ine a ng del or ndl m shack roups g of nd Ho asted i pen n of . e y a eve o thi i pki I the stre ys peri ng une n dour y the noi and s, f o STUN n l or main ns. co ed w ne stun and se ods s of wi ve n ai 2 s uld ome s k and S pent th peri 0 ti sheep il ROM heep ng l whi vio ed pen mi flo e the as she od bl cause or f nutes lence i or aro l n e ed. i next and y l and l w s ep the asti the chai und ere ve ha O wer w bri ng pi ne roup g room c ns. hi hai stune her. gs ng e be a l sheep e ns w not l , i roups g i en ttl n of ere w of w e a tc a d, voidea d stuned ere anim m new a hel more t hing ore JV fed of d als. rou g in th sh Ri oth : tha b w an c th t eep ack T h h ith p h er e e n ard is an to lack s eig anim from t were tu heir s join h n h was o t ur, als Slaughterhouse Report:Layout 1 24/8/09 13:43 Page 9

... in reality the stun rooms were packed with frightened animals, running and twisting ...

stunning

electrical stunning Pigs, sheep and calves are stunned by electrocution. Tongs are placed on either side of the head and a large current is passed through the brain in order to render the animal immediately unconscious. At least, that is what is supposed to happen.

‘With hand held equipment a successful stun is heavily dependent on the skill of the operator to position the electrodes accurately and the delivery of sufficient current to render the animal unconscious.’ Report on the Welfare of Farmed problems witnessed with Animals at Slaughter or Killing, electrical stunning Part I: Red Meat Animals, Farm Animal Welfare Council, 2003 Incorrect Electrode Placement In the stun rooms at both AC Hopkins and JV Richards, animals ran, hid, slipped and fell. Under such chaotic circumstances, the In reality, the stun rooms were packed with correct placement of electrodes on the heads of the animals – frightened animals, running and twisting. All and maintaining the connection for the required duration – is too often, the tongs made contact for too problematic at best. short a time or did not span the brain, and Incorrect placement of tongs was commonplace at AC Hopkins delivered, instead, nothing more than a and not uncommon at JV Richards. The electrodes for sheep and painful electric shock. pigs are meant to be placed between the eye and the ear on

Even when administered correctly, there each side of the head. Other placements are permitted as long g n i n

remains concern that some animals – due as the current passes directly through the brain. For a significant n u t

to a variation in their susceptibility to the number of animals, the electrodes were placed on either side s h t y

current – are rendered immobile, rather than of their noses. For the stun operator at AC Hopkins, sloppiness m r e

unconscious. This could even apply to was the norm. t h g

most animals because of the inherent u a l shortcomings of stunning itself. If this is the s ‘No person shall strike, or apply pressure to, any e n a

case, the number of animals going to the m

particularly sensitive part of the body of any animal.’ u h

knife while conscious would be far higher e

Schedule 3, Part III, Paragraph 12 h t

than is commonly believed. The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) 7 e g

Regulations 1995 a p Slaughterhouse

page 8 the humane slaughter myth stunning w pa t ti we At he IT HER p e r AC IS l r o i t fa r e f Report:Layout 124/8/0913:43Page10 MATES of NOW hea d. r st t e H hei t uned opk he l eg THIS r HAVING nose tio n.isla body The ins SHEP’ , wit h a , tip and and s BEN ignfic a of one Not the TURN this the STUNED o e ot he y nl lec tro no is nt s a t ,tha number e r bre a de AND t a is a the s o ch uch KILED, n se the o ba nsitiv o f f to ng she ck the ve of e r ep y pos And co ns It Durat bac and One side f suf A wit Fo Fo wri Wi cons Fo wide stun work sheep, unai were At ti when cam les of es Ri t a inc wa s eno whic tr The sc shac pi m es gs w c l re am ta r r r AC 1.9 thin am AC hout om gl g hards e as it k ugh ic s ot ex N unl the cS i n A bli ded, e the n m h than f s eque nt s c k ioni of w ing om ti m or vari i o m stun hers, hoc b o hee p ious les ent e H the peten c am m les ion H ethod er e shm c w se f e h the a a one i or o e l a m l w opk pe ng fr adi ot her her to e e y ea r as ng br to . pki ss a c s se the pl c k ee as e an u d a and Whi st b . a bei onds tion s r oul y ingl a r a t e e ed a obser e j ni quic i so n a t a i ender fe ruf i horough c sec ns ea r un s ust ns, in the nec ncr ttoba nt, t tha ti , suf ‘stune d’ nd e l and adi ond used e m ng a ttra stun ona l d s ( l a , AC al e or f ver l S i heep ar and o al 5 n nim ond ena ea ses t fe ri l not s y kl bega n k yonl – a l he sha ong e w per 3 , ow ibute a heep some ng. s, e . ve. ti shak the wo par ent. ir a l Ho pk . P be a e g u t e ona l t 3 of stuni s ng. ge hem i al o once a a br bli n i be ed ctr to a and . s do nsensi l rk tw and Al from seconds r e w s, t h Apar i stun ti dura the tw keepi i gni t d nough e ef stun the ng use er hen i ode w ki a t tha ee r ins e n I a not the stun o- sec to the I thei tt ache unc three both nim , i r c – fi ng. he shac th am s a n t ki P c l wi o pi ame A the he i ti wa s al e ng on he typi yent l , k y antl know el ti a 2 ng r shee p pigs r bot h vi o gs w le al ong el thi m w number r m ar .5 ec K to nsci . heads, ty a ond stuned s as k cur s ihoo ctr w as of thought seconds, fac Whi e d. o i c and n r g e l a l l ‘stune d’ tr odes dur and ed bri st al re qui i di w t th, i we s the the each on el so I the a ode ) g n ous. the m t r t AC spl hor stun a l roup g c d ng ent to h p ec them e ti a t tha wa s c ade s urs re w 4 his pla of onv ul i sam yed a the s stun r go tr odes 2. of te am n s on H .5 t ha R them ed ame 8 The i g di stun. a to no y or opki i g e r r to pai 6 the f enecf ced y bunda ntl a w nd pigs ow ende red . T wi ven s o d gepera caus ti oper w l e But s ec see e h pa i n onge r w l u mespa si one th s ope r n there . not th econds. pain – er n spec g shack ns tun i opera to ng dow onds, t a th ss o but roup th an bo e fe l or, Wl e stuns med an tora ed n i tiv e n i be ev en w w at ele c stuned to ra o so th thr to p an thi intial n, i per as the s n stuns as al vera us es to them n f the m led tor slau th t a a vio len ele ctro d s w e stun s to y but o ed than , tr od The a par re tun the ha w rt c of 1 ey cle ar ith span ugh ver c there dmin ani JV on felt 9 th u tc a a an g p br g t a h o s, 9 ticu not t use on n h es e s im the g s, sid y han e er f s Ric or f 5 ed mal y tl i ief t a d hin te pan ro u n h the each h it. an n y l stu istere d th tha h g e on or er ed w h re d y larl d ex es l J har e th o th v a bet stu g im ea d t e ob ot h nd an s as V ter o ng th n t . g t b a e hou eit h on era b en als rou g e ile. t th d em d n, time ween ra in a er s dis , - th s th stu ese eral th ge ld er is e - . e p . n , Slaughterhouse y the In stun and the or swe to the ani pigs not The de o v mal m. m e t bei a her hoi f r o We S a o No Report:Layout 124/8/0913:43Page11 nt di wer of r r dow n r r ust to ch ing y Onl d s ng ima p K st hi lon a f l per w pr hold not e e e i l l i ra ed, s t a dule n o ble a m r prope r oper ger r tion frus rds l g n afte r e son with the lead be di it them f o ) , dur tr to y l to fore 4, felt R most sh s n A tion a he his y the y l g e feruf but, him shackle tion.a Par be al b m i s stune adminste l u st oo f ficieuf ntl y l wer sus rag had su to ins a t a ing b the un l y t s i spe s s n o tea o e ni s aph pend t a S ( the s r d. houting be un s nimals tun kne d, hackl ed a l nd, g en y s 9 1 s r 4 h g u e caus or ubs ed, s ope a l t s til T o 9 co hackl ed s o r eh kiln 5 . l e equent e t n and nvuls an tora to He ca ed co t r be he y use s nd he him ha g. or f m ing t a ld ckl e in e Choo to 15 tha stun, inter renderi How to bef ti cont stunig adm bot or f cha nc chanc hoi m reduc be st n h e, or pigs s inue ever i ec val . ni a m si e r ei c Thi e e the a ster ng ond ondem s ng ore an ) t , of of her eri – e , s as stuni whi y a to th th and t t ed ous r ind hum he he chai li s bec e count em than m stun mal l e a ned. stun-to- it ani sl c fa l el cha ng ane ns ted a l ause aughte rer unc ong (see l ec l the mal number t i ing ng he had unti tti tri onsci and fi tha ng c pa the f pi to w sl rst i st l rst. sho ar oul gs i the ge t pi ic to the m ri ope stun ous a k of ore d But ved i bei ck a 1 y n ng thor i g nter 6 beg c ar pi tora thi ro und. is ng in ol ki prac or f fr om admi gs ri to o s lea a c ved, o in val ugh struc ked w shac rder w m mar had gue. f ti a rom ere ni to ore the cal y or fi steri l y kedl k m es kl to r belo begun , st stune Those bec shac on y b e y a the i n f lo , stun them ng w tha or f the v ha or ause l i start ai nhum kle s w the not ling stuni t anim d pigs e w t ha stun-to- there and prope rl ould been he recom of – a ane lim is t als wh no the c al, so litt on bs wa g h t in o ac w v a stick h u t m le y on , sec tinu he ten s w ith e nc an e t th en mor er les h an ou th b om e a d ond d ed ad de e een nim ed e d firs t les e m d to is o t als n

page 9 the humane slaughter myth stunning Slaughterhouse page 10 the humane slaughter myth stunning Si Ri ot to Ho re co ime mo mo fi e we F • • • • Fa rst l a e mi he c gular mpl i f suf i we re ct le ha v st le run f whe si hi se o t t t a f a o f ba One The fl An A ad he a f wo st Bu wa to m m un tu no e ina wo o lo o lo l r Report:Layout 124/8/0913:43Page12 par d o r n djust ne ar de d s une d r se r ad ac i c rds. v insen di she ani or co m t o o a c c ck r et hi hi o t ne er ul s st er, ic omo nplace hi , sup y l u f b al r r l qui th and y te l a mi f o . ti n hi l c , , mor e in e s pi s e i e d a ed ai nd sheep, y t un le w n s d n mals. al He on while and et c t l e lr e p ne i stunig. e t th t tha he ste feet g ec hr feet stun. li st yser st ste hi onvulsing. h h d r y ck l t p ea er port to unc , d s sitiv e ngs o her s d e aunches e once ay who s le e ashing. uned. yr , f r t Multipe s o rbef tun wa s mitt ed ad, and el adminst ering rodes the dy he s r get t yonl cr w gasping. stun , ed. pigs t hr . t but pig oo r l on , un wh he the Fo r he to bu ay ep could bled b a who to n he oa sh wa s s equipm wo r he ear stune d co ns Th m . t the end er te d dina cream a stu u was tur ps cola r the t e otpeo ra wer She s i ex ample, no cola ea m or ns gn r this e Fo r par tia o e Fo ur tun in , s in ke r was fo n f ned While so er e, gr th s tru with red op als tea d ore d g eque t tha th loo f S e h otin w Lea als bo to y el es er ou ma e th he pse tuns oper one era e gg e pa stune ent. as o w o u ed d s his y l th tri pe d ca his e o n i s p r, legs o g o the r ly be his nig tuned p le inful s s y n h he w d, nt tor rev i a b n this a , uld d top ed s t a la f kir uf er t t ba a d wa s tora a to ei o nd th as The tune tt ea ntio s fe he ep tune d back tu , f nd r nc fe anima he . to ng ound ilng AC e te e epe to ou p as s the et not d, of s r He co nd on pig goa t tha ring r fel l n hee e d stu ig i but ad h fel n su s put ca h pig no o ed the this a er Ho h mor stead the f t a i d. irs hoi sh de ano ev to or nd l veha o m n t y lm ded thras to tiped se p t a ls to o b n h fe l fee ns a pkins s s o eep ent ua a op . a i nl the Back ho s is y jus using n , we nd tuns one trug the he e. ut tr his nimals Stil nd ther JV th t o f g the y t . er to ied b a is to Whil hed e t ad re r a s o ac t nd who l f a t. he h nd one f gled loor hal sa th to y l e pi on k to of r e t e g f And and fr om • Anim ex per m A SHEP uch YOUNG hi s bef a s she Anot he tha n her – fi She con s d The tr som uf e nal pli ura al t d ienc and ied co he m fe r or e s WATCH ep, behi gai a y l s hid ti or e ci nd ed who one LAMB e tun st on ing, to i ou s af ter ng r the ani he un tune d s or f nd n. am shee p c ea s o f tun ope ra sec A o the ne had s m m LEAPS ope ra S r nce al otpeo ra ge ev en the FALEN a ongst s he a shee p s ade ix wa ond. thir l s, r pai s bee n to hoi to r mor e dodge d pro per w w s s INTO to r, d ot n a h the m as ent a al a GROUP S st e ti her stune r of thi vo i a he so g me, st stune d par ti tur ned hi t THE mac ro up s being r to d thi ru yl . d d sel hee p bot c s esc t bei hee p the i g ex tr a he MEBR di s TONG al hi ve s gl tt em d d est a a of y l ng yner . hed ed hi ped to ngs. ano ther stune d r ao rdi had thi s s or f hea ds s behi BUCKET w tune d pt, stune d hee p, o bl s a er e and ve ga a i tt enti s tw Ra bee n shm y nar admi hee p nd r Aft er o o stune d the r in. y onl shee bene a ke epi nt FOR gai a sec onds the ent on w l st ni o engt hs On ga a fi er e, stuni tha n uned ste ri ‘REFUG’ he nal to w ho n. p – ng t t hen in. r o rbef h he but thi i One y l s under a ba ng t. ot her end her nd y The s suc – ng to f ck the our th – ins o a a s h a ne. hea d sh ou f hee p cum h a stu sta n oist vo id co m lu te ad to n is nd a k e n nim ep r Sa d n a in g fe a ed wa s b ‘ gs m da tt em m e of du t a . of scap als, or e g w a t r on l b y we re c les J an losin yl , f ke d p V or a th , stu t d y ed e . g n ’. Slaughterhouse mo o f Ho tha she sha At t ha o f la ot but A one st Thi ope and be Ri THE nde a he ur und c se pkin J ndi s ha n n st c e c r – V h r o i r c r o Th ‘ t a u cS u to ra Report:Layout 124/8/0913:44Page13 AC w k p l to uned onc Th an he ef d ther rds ond nim n n shee led Ri onc ng and er the s, we r e til conscio e h t K HOPKINS i ed e c n e ar cur e hi e. i l l i We 12 hards while a w a e st a t u d it a sheep. stune d y onl monito red ound m t he p w i nd as l O . nto ttempt g n gain a .2 re the is ere lfa He is succum e l ne stil blood bleeding ngt the ) per nt dead. ’ ‘exit’ 12 imediately the re WORKE 5 1 us R end str was the stun , 4.6 g e used h – r a P o sixt h ce nt ot her was gled ug and slaughte our f f and he l u pit r of and n bed, A stuned oo per w t ed i t a ni t REACHS er es of be made I m, is anima o he r tim I ma she th , emains ut n o cent mo e le ped.ca this th ne ra a P su fr e vo a e g pt a s es of s e r ls ep tuned ro re th a ch du e a r 1 28 7 ls. five to a terr ea ch. of idng up (S end re thr o than 9 rp a g OUT w rat th g f a 59 s a laug the As er ro with the so t ough ified , times at numbe un s er ion whe e IN up hee p the mo h onc At the 8 ed th stune A hte to ngs him 24 8 just o anima of AC PACKED re e re the , stun e. f whil r we 19 r he o d f to e l . STUN ROM Hop ki Al to inc Som mu does tha mon i ani The Ove fou thr ougho L H H suc Ac ac opk ow ev mos t the hiev r om ma c t h k r-f ti h AC ‘ st di a F acci l S equi e R ani et eve t ins If m not, a ns ore pe of l f hoi im unni ff u a er ing or c ul es. m r the o p he cr al m H n i , t te nce, cul y b d es de ut C p l he owded h g opk st he al h e pasi t r a Stun t men chose a w n A he n o , p nt o i t s t re the t ts goo e o we h o even g en ur m r e i f re ns pp a i qu al n or pi g m eq stun y a t and ng t) ver, and fi num o t d i os sh s R p i a s env s e h l op c r to s u tu m. an r tun l ha o w conec kl it thro e t e-s i K a W om nn p oo ex e hen er opera stun A i We d t y ir i ber ve fe l tnaede qua men l e . tent wa onment. l JV ’ opera cuse e at tu th i ugh l fu l gn d f made l spla a ors f other n of er s R l (se a at r ti t l tor , ich e th r s on e at ion P ac ani the e pus tor , l hoc e east ye d t e C a m o t a ar f o c t r o s w pi m cas anim h Thi t ay u l mo room tempti hing u d in i ith ks cture e s ghtl al a F I r on s c n t : tuns at wi e s b s o be R we ve the wit : m r ur egin al ely i ce, t pr i e y l he 99. 6 a n , wa s d r dif ng obl fe w a f 2 vi d e e sheep the w h r w el w bove). (wit gr a e M 0 0 ee ly, ew s s er e nin f it h ectro er em to ic tu ound er A h p ea d extrem 3 stun , e i n er u nn several h g s dis c er ror t lties tun betw w or a m out om t it A e cen des he as on pla d (seen i n ro may p l the f y el of s m s ly os t om exa ir een ris in yed prov onpla b o s had a a the eing ele itio f t k s d t an s l b cerb at w t t hack ficu if he im h g e o ed , as im ct n im h r A wa f ce ea stunned e e C ric p t te a al . d so he ig s y an no lt. t A ling ficu if Ho pk ins) al closest w t d d t T larg A ith we ha a C th t lt t e e so AC in .

page 11 the humane slaughter myth stunning Slaughterhouse

page 12 the humane slaughter myth stunning st o H I a br st st a t a C Unl h l t H f i o c v ha i bo l c unde c A t e he f he c Al captive be with t i n nst o t ha r i o i k a y r o o r l ne ni dv ni f l o i o o o m o e uned uni uni sumary is ngs l ge r g ing a ha e • • • • • r v l l D l e t pk nt pk l k c d mal mal t tr the made he i he i li gue s ea er a e e n as k n e ing tr unc ing Report:Layout 124/8/0913:44Page14 under si – hood was nd- i act ge nta ad e r i i dge y rb ed had ode s ns ns l c c dama La Ov Fa In In ngle ng ng d sli ani her w s ’s she el tt ha pt a c oper e t a the l s co of hel a ows er shi f ped ear c ec c t ile c w e ele ctyr ical , he i u t he is an mal. y onl ri or lect anot k h to ri c r- i of e as j her on f r ve i hig ng trica l s w a we nt on d of ose onv ers d ng gerg - r f t a ge re ad an g ted a o f e s hee p icent compr why loo rf . endur animal. ul an – un device f tuned and stuned bolt, ct s his wer time s. as guns bolt the a The and to , and is car t uch irr and to o i pr st regain too m of na ele ct s dow n, otpera is so ever ri the she or f co lea and tunig, e whe n tio n a The use es un multip e side ome nta e wherea ese cows d duratio n oc using f she t tha gun one s ar far exte ce and eq shoo s cal alt ho If tuned mai In using stun sible uch ure roo m sl rode e jok ing us the to d uate stuning o co s id the gue awa y one kic king. emit ted d w str one their s a nsiv f ngs d. ing t a o atten i le ts l ith a nscio fro ugh ngle a in pain. y r ope s ve n pt ivcea uck ptivcea ir metho the st bo , a Picksto p pig’s out stun s insta o the co m e o s r b ja the a us into r of wit h, lace men probl tu us ptivca ne fr n ec one he lt tora thos the t tha ptivcea she rr tion un om ga a usne ot he e ing n hi e t a st u a Ha blo ither o wit h ectl s s nce , y ma due hea d. the d s r heep r laught e str a r ing plea fire. bo educe s etr ep e his inst bolt the d ck a the n e wo o od t a rs s y, t tha f he co lt ing ct e ablecta bolt. br the to a in ngled while no ttoba a AC w . rk the sur ttha bolt t head. The o the e nta ain t a The blank er bee n our d t a m re r, e e AC r the ct e s n ir Slaughterhouse Report:Layout 1 24/8/09 13:44 Page 15

he gained from using this method could be It is normal practice to stun cows using the captive bolt. Individual surmised from the gesture he made towards cows are brought into the stun box down a narrow ‘race’, which a colleague: he mimed the drawing of a does not allow them to turn round and leave. One at a time, they gun, and sung some bars from the James enter the box. The gate closes behind them and they are stunned. Bond theme tune. Head restraint devices are required by legislation to hold a This was the last sheep of the group and, bovine’s head for captive bolt stunning. having seen all the others stunned and The purpose of the legislation was to improve stunning accuracy. killed, he was hiding behind the machinery. ‘Active’ head restraints hold the head in place and cause From the film, it appears that he was shot additional stress. in the back of his head at an angle down Pickstock abattoir, however, uses a passive ‘head shelf’, which towards his eyes, which is not the correct encourages the animal to place his or her head in the best angle for a sheep without horns. 1 (The position for the stun to be accurate and causes little – if any – correct angle is directly downwards from additional stress. the top of the head, to ensure that the bolt hits the brain.) Sheep with horns may be problems witnessed with stunned this way but in that instance, ‘bleeding must commence within 15 captive bolt stunning seconds of shooting’. 2 This sheep wasn’t While the use of a captive bolt for stunning cattle was certainly bled for at least 25 seconds. less stressful than the chaos and carelessness of electrical The apparently incorrect angle and the stunning, this method is not without its disasters. thrashing of this sheep in a manner unlike any of the others who were stunned Failed and Multiple Stunning electrically, causes serious doubt about Six cows – or 4 per cent of those we filmed – were not stunned whether this sheep was adequately adequately first time. For one, a pale brown bull, the design stunned when he was slaughtered. of the stun box contributed to his prolonged suffering. Perhaps sensing danger as he entered the stun box, he lowered his ‘In such cases [where horned head beneath the restraint shelf and did not respond to the sheep are shot in the back of the stun operator’s attempts to get him to raise it. Rather than wait, head] bleeding must commence the stun operator leant over and took an ill-advised shot, which within 15 seconds of shooting.’ floored the bull but did not render him unconscious. He lay kicking Guidance Note on the Licensing on the floor several feet below the stun operator and could not and Training of Slaughtermen, easily be reached. Thirty-five seconds after the first shot, the Defra operator was forced to suspend himself upside down from the

OPERATOR TAKES AN UPSIDE-DOWN SECOND SHOT AT A BULL g n i n n u t s h t y m r e t h g u a l s e n a m u h e h t 3 1 e g a p Slaughterhouse page 14 the humane slaughter myth stunning f a I c he i t But a be Tw p a c The E l thr n f se An t gun, she t t F stu cou ind Acc Te sp e n nt loor ri o hi wi he re ro A THROAT n nd s r o h nt f g om mp cond t onta t d mo o rd r hi o pr d o ee COW c ica nn a t a s h ld th ranc ord to sh sec bac e fstaf , nd di, t e the e t ot p ev Report:Layout 124/8/0913:44Page16 means he but ed ene t a . f le e ing nd nt st othe erha tin t b lail ot bea m page h The he neo ing ent ABOUT t e s ond t er k r sh G empt . c CUT he g box r g ani tu ance cl ind ing. e the d wa s and t a randin: ases, vi sound r ot c t een p eanl n us teera to an Gate hat other a r ows mal animals cow s s ee d, the ques y tual 1 s box nim of in y b but, su ffe The Pr TO m i n 3) rolling y onl ma te ga y t at t o encour o ost ofe ss he . this lowering . Pickstock mo ha BE al and rd panic. ur ‘A m A anim fe el bletio na l, blink in s was rin knocke nd e d tun s stum al SHACKLED pr ade nimals th woryr ve to r t tun had to he to out g or t ope r e blin to s he d the als the quest g a operat of ome as gat e kee be She b of fo r e was ta bled, t the cow ki in y nd ing o thi it st d y l he fr k incide An s r wi wa r ng plant g the p e- b e o tun o un , s her ion o f stune str de e AND n of nto des t m di im them r or lay a stu h a dr t ing indca ar eluctant ot r ni d. h d pt ivca s ce ni ma gle ug abl s al al eyes y tr bo ois opp p e ng ov c e nt, nn ired ef use on not their HAVE But l, rep ending c s Sc fr e: x ing e fec ted ond af ed ensi s of d ed r om it t cl l ticta d ien are d he tak on ter th d e fo a e (s e o ti misfir o , at HER on ba to the nd fe f n at ve. t to bo s one a r bl e sh ot ce, o the e g es ni e l ce one the ttha cks. e east e. o was round, ct a d t lt it f h nte m nto tega or nd o . ’ e bu ed in 3 th a a r. ls e ll y Stun al Slo shelf ootf i conve regai caus ca AN l ow su • • • pi pt EMACI TED ng ed , n boxe ng t nient fro m S M F he her w iv a lo di is- m il F hile bo st p s ar ed loo f e ing use w res pos ooti are dies here in and b r y DAIRY it ng f f ol of the lo ion itt to o of o she ed mu and f ent r a r t the box. COW or f number m wi st l w ti ended a a st sha th p AWAITS as nce i uned le un s n ckl s lo s tuned. ga pi pr tunig of nin up i ng. ng THE te cow ani w o The o CAPTIVE g i b mal th r s s le w her teped unev s ho to m fr BOLT c s r en ont ould ol f wi l loorf o o hooves ors ut not t h into a in get t P ord on a ic th kstoc er the eir to hea k d Slaughterhouse Report:Layout 1 24/8/09 13:45 Page 17

... those who kicked free from the shackles, were shouted at and cursed ...

shackling

After being stunned, the animals are AFTER STUNNING, A YOUNG CALF’S LIMBS ARE STILL THRASHING, SO HE IS shackled by one or both back legs, STOOD ON WHILE SHACKLED hoisted and taken to the kill area.

Attaching shackles to a stunned animal can be difficult if that animal kicks violently after being stunned but for the first 20 seconds after stunning – what researchers call the ‘tonic’ phase – the animal collapses and becomes rigid. If the animal has been properly and competently stunned, attaching shackles immediately after stunning should not prove problematic. However, an inadequate stun – such as A ‘STUCK’ PIG SLIPS HIS SHACKLES AND CRASHES TO THE GROUND we saw for almost all pigs at AC Hopkins – caused many pigs to kick and thrash so violently that attaching shackles was virtually impossible. Rather than deliver an effective stun the first time, the stun operator chose to stand or kneel on the thrashing pigs in order to hold them still enough to shackle them. Those who kicked free of the shackles, were shouted at and cursed. Effective shackling appears to be a particular problem for pigs, who fall from them more frequently than sheep. We did not witness any cows falling from the shackles.

A number of pigs at AC Hopkins fell from A SHEEP SHACKLED ABOVE THE BLOOD PIT g

the hoist before they were ‘stuck’ (met the n i l k

knife) and both sheep and pigs fell from the c a h

slaughter line at AC Hopkins and JV Richards s h t after being cut, as the suspended animals y m r e

began to kick, thrash and paddle. t h g

They crashed into the pit while blood from u a l the dying animals above them, rained down. s e n a

They were left in the congealing blood until m u h

a convenient time when they could be e h dragged out, re-shackled and hoisted t 5 1

once again. e g a p Slaughterhouse Report:Layout 1 24/8/09 13:45 Page 18

... until 2004, it was illegal to slaughter and bleed animals within sight of conspecifics (animals of the same species) because it was thought to cause them distress ...

stun-to-stick interval

(animals of the same species) because it was thought to cause them distress. Moving the stunned animals away from their mates to a place where they could be slaughtered without being seen increased the stun-to-stick time, thereby increasing the risk that the animals would regain consciousness. In its June 2003 report, Defra’s advisory body, the Farm Animal Welfare Council, recommended that ‘the law in England and Wales should be changed to permit bleeding within sight of conspecifics for pigs and sheep. This should be dependent upon legislation being introduced to limit the stun-to-bleed interval to A PIG’S THROAT IS CUT 15 seconds.’ 4 The government did indeed change the law so that pigs and sheep Electrical ‘head only’ stunning is could be bled within sight of their conspecifics but chose not to reversible. If animals are not bled legislate for a maximum stun-to-bleed time of 15 seconds. In immediately, there is a chance that they terms of animal welfare, they legislated for the worst of both will regain consciousness before they worlds: sheep and pigs could see their mates bleed to death but die. Scientific evidence supports the the government preferred to issue guidance, rather then introduce recommendation that stun-to-bleed a law to minimise the risk of them regaining consciousness. 5 intervals should not exceed 15 seconds. Before the law on bleeding in sight of conspecifics was changed, the Meat Hygiene Service found in its 1997/8 Animal Welfare Until 2004, it was illegal to slaughter and Survey Report, that, for many pigs, the stun-to-stick time bleed animals within sight of conspecifics exceeded the recommended maximum figure of 15 seconds. 6 l a v r e t n I k c i t s - o t - n u t S h t y m r e t h g u a l s e n a m u h e h t 6 1 e g

a A CALF MEETS THE KNIFE p Slaughterhouse int thi co the a At w la • • • • re stun- N nimal ow duc nser e s J ti be ce sho 15 and se st be we pe Of co Of she Fo Fo Ri v r st V – t me Report:Layout 124/8/0913:45Page19 i t t i me c al un ed t ha c c Ric o- nt nsec r r i i r t wha r 72 10 ng ng ha t va sec k o c e e . w the 44 c t sti nd k p), we re c ent he – ro i har as shac r 0 t val nter i t i st st p ds, o ng ve h ck onds ut s. om. c as i sheep r r the e uned. uned, does gs or number get stuned onsecutivel est e ds, wer i y vel – 1 val inter w la al ded kled t tha s stune d It per tuck to stun the of the of e lef t being is our has t a ad who s wa s the was being y b The with cent. tuck r estim film AC with easo of the otpeora until film should a cha se two shee we 37 an the y lo co s Hopki ns the s s w in s eco s ble na s te a nges how tun nged s s he re ithin tuned nse t es s s how io une 1 purpos ec o p eco lo r d 5 nd s n tetima v ha o ro s wo cut ivel nges tuned stuck t r s se (9 ? 1 nds. – a om the tun- nds stun- man, she , d 5 e rked nd 0 conds just per fel she e be se t mor d w time to o the within stun- o v lea y psha conds e to- ithin n 21 f to o - 22 ep a t a n s the e y nl lone t of tic o s a es the JV w tick per to- 13 k 52 ho , of • danger W ble and At ani stun tha ani and whi ith AC eding m m t c sec 15 Of 97 r o f fe suf the stun l S ‘W u G ani mu sh pi the the h al al tw suc gs. H h g u a 1 i s ac h h t s pe onds nc n a d i be o, m m n st tha opk 00 ec ere anim we red w h e or kl in r re ased al c le oref In c a onds u di t e s c i arry pi re i s ve a stead n mu eve ns, t , t e c b ent m on sm the e g, gs and c adm t al efor hem l r y an n o movi ef t e e m s t o N n h the al one w afte o w pai oi pe w d bo o bef u e stun-to-s shoul ere in of st ho stun-to-s s ,n ould s t t both e ng car n stun r th heep m i uned ti r t ste on s s h w ng o e D stuni of on tunig, s re ,e os the onto n tuck ry ere d red. the re gai a f o sti opera an e h t but i i ra there and s ng ne par stun- to- s o on stuned c e tic d res l f tic ng. the Thi p wi k oor n ac afte r th c i L e blee i ti k ng. k pi the thi tor f r al shac p co ns s em or hi at pe next, gs t o e im whi n i evi fi e s ns i n ding ofte n ri on f the r 1 loo r regai es, not st ou ha s od. k ti ci c ible ng 5 l g n i s l e c onsec ing, i ous s ve t t k sec other . c he ther tun a of w on thi or f o a i n for va nte r been a as ns humane l nes. s hois onds s anima s c n an o e m bef hack uti onsc e d m the c This sl must y an cu om other T eant y vel ting ore aughte re ‘st ra l t of l i s iv a ed ous l uck’ n i v s tu nd mean e a w bein al t a , and on be tha n i ly n anim tha the y a ua ful nes the ning AC g on or f a a t g b to cu t t p o d th secon ver le an person s H pr like liho th f al.’ o h , ttin th e ac tun d op ne sec on d im a ox y u an e hiev t p rin kin g rea n im som s rop to d imals ed heep on g , tel a s, od l e d er e s, e y

page 17 the humane slaughter myth stun-to-stick interval Slaughterhouse Report:Layout 1 24/8/09 13:45 Page 20 Slaughterhouse Report:Layout 1 24/8/09 13:46 Page 21

... the pigs slaughtered there have an increased chance of regaining consciousness during bleeding ....

slaughter

pigs. The knife appears to be inserted and removed without a long wound being made, If this is the case, the pigs slaughtered there have an increased chance of regaining consciousness during bleeding.

After stunning, all animals are killed by severance of at least one of the carotid arteries or the vessels from which they arise. According to FAWC, current practice in Great Britain is to cut a minimum of both carotid arteries and jugular veins or a thoracic stick to THREE FALLEN PIGS IN THE BLOOD PIT ensure rapid exsanguination. 7

The law states that ‘any person engaged in the bleeding of any animal that has been stunned shall ensure that the bleeding is rapid, profuse and complete’ and that ‘the bleeding is completed before the animal 8 regains consciousness’. r e t h

Research has been conducted to discover g u a

which method of sticking produces the l s h

quickest rate of bleeding, bringing about t y m

the most rapid death and offering the lowest r e t h

risk of the animal regaining consciousness. g u a l

The results of a 2000 study indicated that, s e n

‘following head-only electrical stunning, a a m u

relatively long sticking wound should provide h e h better welfare’. 9 t 9 From our film at AC Hopkins, it appears that 1 e g

A PIG IS RE-SHACKLED AFTER HAVING HIS THROAT CUT a

only a small incision is made when cutting p Slaughterhouse Report:Layout 1 24/8/09 13:46 Page 22

... the ewes watched as the stunned young collapsed to the ground ...

vulnerable animals

Our footage shows sick animals and Several of the pigs and sheep (four at JV Richards and one at AC new mothers and their young being Hopkins) had large growths on their bodies, which may have been slaughtered for human consumption. abscesses, cysts, prolapses or tumours. According to industry insiders, such growths are not uncommon. Sick Animals In 2008, the BBC aired a film shot undercover at three Welsh One particularly sick – or possibly already slaughterhouses. Even though Meat Hygiene Inspectors are dead – sheep was brought for slaughter to supposed to inspect only the carcases presented to them, many the JV Richards abattoir. A small, thin sheep, were forced to take action to remove abscesses that the abattoir’s her fleece patchy and her head dropped, was butchers had overlooked or ignored. 10 brought into the stun room in a wheelbarrow (see picture below). Unlike all other sheep we Mothers and their Young saw stunned, she did not move at all – not At AC Hopkins, a group of four ewes and 14 very young lambs was when the electrodes were placed on her brought in to be stunned and slaughtered. The ewes watched as head, and not when she was shackled. the stunned young collapsed to the ground, and the lambs We believe this sheep may have been desperately sought solace from their mothers in those terrifying dead before she was stunned. circumstances. s l a m i n a e l b a r e n l u v h t y m r e t h g u a l s e n a m u h e h t 0 2 e g

a A EWE IS STUNNED WHILE HER YOUNG LAMB STILL SUCKLES p Slaughterhouse sl t L t hi t a Whi l t t ind At se mi da r im o h a sl dr mo At t c Whi t a i he t ha wo y he he e o me i nd ut nd e STUNED a a ke m. ist g o c mf me er r i nut Pick st JV ughte r ughter us y r r ped o c a e l l b e , hudl Report:Layout 124/8/0913:46Page23 e e y la hoi t nd t w al H or not l as o he tyr he t ns f ec er e t Ri he ar t one dy e han ere f he t st l ed , e c ew t t he contin ued t a her m, he st we re oc k, her fi ri t t har . e ac secon d o h udde rs IN r ed f ro om. e f un As d being st i l ttoba ir a ir e, l e a ed amb wa s r, d it the ro ss e THE st ewe ds, her ewe few toget her while ‘ ca lf, t tha the is oper y the spent’ shaking br tongs calf loorf . WHELBARO , r ought being a suckl mother, The , th ebl ason a kiled to ys da calf calf – s s r g tora he e wer to ig was heep she and take despite oup stun co ws nifyi – thir As wa kick dow was ed and t e hois a old wa o f s o suckle nd not s ucc to the s d o ng co the r was s tuned, her ro o s f n lau s viole yo their f – bro te d lo be kickin g ro m mf tune d three ble una s um to th w ttling ba ope oke ung w la m im gh mothe ith als eir ught o d s a as mb into yntl . bed r la y pl be te r f s t t tora fr d les h o s his m ughte anima l calve the fr br om e ume fo r o olo f s wi om. ot so s the a to to h: n. r and ought d tuned. hot gains a o f e herh air o f se th othe sha this sha the ve vio Se ot s s we r r ttha A co nd y ee k ed o al. – co – ylentl but ckle n oo d ckle f d r to lo no in t n a i ng or , ds . d a showi free wa s Ten throa ca SHACKLED lve da of f s t i ng nal c ys bei t ut. he ly c ea ng l AND ea e caught rl le r stuc ier ct r si HOISTED , gns o t a k. de and the s of . BY He s fe sam tuned, ONE ar di d e and BACK al sl aughterhouse l di and h e LEG stres co u hoi s ld sted – t o voc el a , ud w we al a ise e y film th to d e an ha ed t o d ve n n gs wr ine his i b g ut gled m ore

page 21 the humane slaughter myth vulnerable animals Slaughterhouse Report:Layout 1 24/8/09 13:46 Page 24

... one pig laid across a stunned victim on the floor in an apparent attempt to prevent the pig from being taken away or further harmed ...

Emotions of the animals s l a m

i IN THE LAIRAGE... n a e h t f o Aside from the physical suffering, the door had closed behind them, and they saw members of their s n o i animals in abattoirs endure tremendous group stunned and twitching on the ground, the levels of fear rose t o

m among the remaining animals, especially among the final two or e emotional anguish, proving beyond h t

y doubt that – despite the industry three sheep of each group. m

r Almost invariably, the final sheep to be standing after all the others

e and government’s oft-repeated line t h

g – slaughter in British abattoirs can in their group had been stunned and cut, reacted powerfully when u a l faced with their own death. They became frantic, running around s never be humane. e n

a the room, hopelessly looking for a way out. It is hard to imagine the m u

h Our footage shows that many of the animals desperation that would lead a sheep to leap through a hatch and e h t sensed danger as they approached the stun into a blood pit below where her mates were suspended and 2 2 bleeding, but two sheep did this. Others leapt up at the wall or

e pen and ran from the room. Those who g a

p entered often sought to leave again. Once door, while many just kept running, trying to avoid the unavoidable. Slaughterhouse Ho la Thi espe be t tha wo she The THE mbs t pk ul s w e r Report:Layout 124/8/0913:47Page25 e t d c p een w DARK i here ns. i we r al as t wa w w y l as ere t One a h e PIG c had har l e so h stuned m stuned two, yintentl ON rowing y an lam the been THE b which case ca ses olowf RIGHT and a an or f as clo w d ano made the ho w he se LEAPS sla ed her e is n ther friends ught one the ted. the the FRANTICL Y a bo pa tcwhing.a e It s e r hee ev we e dy y ma rticula hip d ents s o t a p f a be AC nd the r AT THE DOR IN AN t a of The room ew e on tak prote lunge ATEMP tem s en the om need she c d pti and a t e l f w t a a oor ng ani had y a TO f of the r hoi i to end. mal ESCAP or i the n sted. bee men, def an further s l amb n end t par a o suck s protec queal a to har ma ent l ing be med. t. i te. ng, ttea c A f ro m om O num gai a And mpt ne ortf ed as be pi n i to n g she i r n the pr l of w aid an event as w pi same par a as acros gs t ma dra a the peared ched s ent g ged g roup a pig st ttea m b un , fro y ac an th n to ro s m ed oth p e b t b n e to victim ein er eed th p e g ig

page 23 the humane slaughter myth emotions of the animals Slaughterhouse Report:Layout 1 24/8/09 13:47 Page 26

... when the animals did not walk meekly to their deaths, they might be dragged, kicked, slapped, prodded, goaded, shouted at and abused ...

staff

Desensitised In general, the slaughterhouse staff we filmed behaved as though the animals were inanimate objects. They did not speak to them and – for the most part – did not interact with them on a humane level. Rather, they acted as though they were disassembling objects that periodically infuriated them: when the animals did not walk meekly to their deaths, they might be

dragged, kicked, slapped, prodded, goaded, PAINTED ON A WALL OF THE AC HOPKIN’S LAIRAGE shouted at and abused. An indicator of the way animals are regarded them into a position that was more convenient for him, by jabbing at AC Hopkins can be found in the words at them with the tongs. ‘Death Row’, which have been spray-painted on the lairage wall. Bullying We should not be surprised that the bullying and insensitive Callousness treatment of animals spills over into other working relationships. It is not surprising, perhaps, that slaughtermen In 2008, the Trade Union, UNISON, conducted a survey of Meat quickly become desensitised and sloppy. Hygiene Service (MHS) staff, which it represents. Their job is, first But it is chilling that the line between and foremost, to safeguard the health of the public but also to desensitisation and callousness was, in our oversee the health and welfare of animals at slaughter. view, so routinely crossed by the slaughterman There were 367 responses to the survey, 83 per cent of which at AC Hopkins. were from meat hygiene inspectors, another five per cent from On several occasions he failed to stun senior meat hygiene inspectors and one per cent from Official animals adequately and – instead of Veterinary Surgeons working in abattoirs. Thirty per cent of those immediately re-stunning them to end their surveyed worked at red meat abattoirs, like the ones we filmed in. suffering – he watched as they flailed on the The damning answers reveal a lack of enforcement of the law floor, or sat on haunches gasping for breath. and widespread bullying by abattoir workers and owners. f

f There is no excuse for such behaviour. a t

s Rather than stun pigs thoroughly the first h t

y time, he was content to deliver a single, or m The stun operator lunged at a pig who simultaneously r

e a series of, electric shocks, which did little t ducked her head. There was almost no connection at all h g

u more than inflict serious pain and floor the but still she collapsed, and that was good enough for a l

s animals. In his struggle to get the shackles

e him. She was clearly in pain and kicking so hard that he n

a onto a thrashing part-stunned sheep or m could not attach the shackles to her hind leg. The animal u h pig, he showed his ineptitude as well as e was almost convulsing before an adequate stun was h t his insensitivity. finally administered. 4 2

e On occasions when he could easily stun an - AC Hopkins g a

p animal cleanly, he chose, instead, to goad Slaughterhouse 2 ANOTHER 008 N Y i C N D Y t N Re Ve up c se I N So Al pr br D E nspe f he e e o nf Report:Layout 124/8/0913:48Page27 o o o o o e o y y wa o e s r s nfi y r met a uld t ve e UNI o io a ce ac yo or i y bl sona s t a u ndus y n dent y usl r ct edi hes u t s c obs VICTM t i h al SO mes he i ement r bel e on epor l ngs? y?tr c MHS ved er N of are t mea i ompr on eve vey Sur OF leg t you behalf you AN ge mana t tha is omise a indus tion la 5 3 4 4 1 INADEQU TE bre t tha ma 1% 94% 7 7% 87% 2 7 1 3 0 the % % % % % % of o ach de? y tr d f the ment w Meat the MHS cons be ith of MHS cons trus the a umer STUN enco is Hygiene vie trul ted trioens gula w umer w o ge ura prote y uld to to inde ? e ca prope or nf vice Ser ct y y rr pendent ou ion, cem whic out y rl to how repor ent olowf m h (MHS) of tea t Sta f H B Not Ve w Yes H Monthl H No Not Ye s bul H No W Dai Yes w H Plant Wha No a a a ow ow ulying ith ork? yeekl r ve ve ve y i l y l y v a t a c ofte er ng? t you you you owne are onfi al com y y l n the w or been dent does pl r i tnesed o or aint m ther are pl bul ai bul ant bout a n 4 4 staf l 8 2 7 1 2 3 4 1 5 4 yo 1 0 i sourc yi l ed % 2 3 0 7 9 4 5 7 3 % % bul w u % % % % % % % % % ng f ork or t tha i bul yi l n pen?ha es s ers ng your ubjec y i l the of ng? or 5 bul 2 ar M harasm t % ea to H yi l S ng? har had w oul asm ent ti d me d a en eal t f of wor t a yfairl orf t k?

page 25 the humane slaughter myth staff Slaughterhouse Report:Layout 1 24/8/09 13:48 Page 28

... we share the view of the Farm Animal Welfare Council that there N

E is much wrong with this system ... D E N I I F © training

Training to be a slaughterman is a If deemed appropriate, the trainee will be issued with a certificate four-step process. of competence by an Official Veterinarian (or OV, previously known as an Official Veterinary Surgeon or OVS). First, trainees are issued with a provisional And finally, he is issued with a permanent licence, costing £20, licence, which is free and lasts for three which is valid for life throughout Great Britain. There is no months. Provisional licences state the reassessment ever. species, type of equipment and the opera - We share the view of the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) tions that the holder is licensed for. While that there is much wrong with this system. working on a provisional licence, a trainee In most cases, the certificate of competence is issued by an OVS can only work in the presence, and under the who may, in some cases, also be responsible for the basic training direction, of a holder of a full licence covering of that individual. FAWC states: ‘There must be some concern the same species and type of equipment. that this does not sit comfortably with the OVS’s accreditation Next, a trainee slaughterman is assessed to and enforcement roles. In our view the same OVS should not determine whether or not he has the be the trainer, issuer of a certificate of competence and necessary level of competence, knowledge, enforcement officer.’ 11 skill and understanding of the importance of While the relevance of a certificate of competence is heavily reliant animal welfare to allow a registered licence on the expertise of the individual OVS, there is no requirement on to be issued. He must show an understanding the OVS to have reached any level of competence, either on the of the relevant statutory requirements, operations or on assessment. 12 including Codes of Practice, and how they In summary, there is no need for training and evaluation to be work to protect animals. There is no formal independently scrutinised, no formal exam, no need for the exam. Instead, practical skills are observed assessor to have reached any level of competence and no need and this may be in just one session or over for re-training or reassessment at any point in the future. All a period of time. The cost is £40, but up to that is needed is to want to be a slaughterman, to be 18 years five people can be assessed in one go, old and to be able to pay £28. It is a recipe for incompetence bringing down the cost to just £8 each. and sloppiness. g n i n i a r t h t y m r e t h g u a l s e n a m u h e h t 6 2 e g a p Slaughterhouse Report:Layout 1 24/8/09 13:48 Page 29

... the vast majority of workers on the ground do not feel that they are encouraged to report breaches of legislation ...

enforcement

A SHEEP WHO LEAPT INTO THE SLAUGHTER ROOM FOR ‘REFUGE’ IS THROWN BACK TO BE STUNNED

All abattoirs are supervised by Official are encouraged to report breaches of legislation with a view to Veterinarians on site who are employed initiating enforcement proceedings. And for any serious breaches by the Meat Hygiene Service, a that are reported, more than half of workers surveyed said they government agency. It is the job of were ‘not at all’ confident that the Meat Hygiene Service would Official Veterinarians to ensure properly follow them up. compliance with meat hygiene, animal With millions of animals being slaughtered in the UK under such a welfare and other statutory rules. flawed system, there is little chance that breaches of laws designed They are guided in these duties by to protect animals will ever come to light, let alone be acted upon. ‘detailed instructions’ provided by Defra. Records show that between 1990 and 1996, there was one single prosecution initiated by Defra under animal welfare legislation. According to Defra, ‘OVs take action on the That individual was found guilty and fined just £250. 14 spot to correct any problems they may find: t n e

this may include verbal or written advice ‘We have the right to recommend somebody for m e c

or warnings and, when necessary, a r

prosecution, maybe the lairage man, maybe the o f n

recommendation for prosecution. If OVs see manager, maybe whoever we want… but basically we e h t animals arriving at a slaughterhouse which don’t. We talk and that’s it because we don’t want y m r

show evidence of welfare problems arising e

enemies… It’s unthinkable how often people will not t h

on farm or during transport, they will report g do their job properly. Not because they don’t know how u a l the incident to the appropriate enforcement but they’re bored, because they want to take the piss out s e n

body which will take the necessary a

of you, or… they don’t care. End of story. They don’t m u

follow-up action.’ 13 h care.’ Official Veterinarian, secretly filmed for a 2008 e h In reality, the 2008 Meat Hygiene Service t

BBC TV ‘Week In Week Out’ special programme on 7 2

survey shows that the vast majority of e

meat hygiene. g a

workers on the ground do not feel that they p Slaughterhouse Report:Layout 1 24/8/09 13:48 Page 30

evidence of breaches

Our film, which covers only a brief timespan, ‘No person shall strike, or apply pressure to, any particularly shows several potential breaches of The sensitive part of the body of any animal.’ Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) AC Hopkins – electric tongs were applied to the tips of sheep’s Regulations 1995. Incidents that caused noses. JV Richards – pigs were kicked in the face to get them to us concern are set out below. move and – in one case – to punish a pig for ‘getting in the way’.

‘No person shall cause avoidable ‘No person shall inflict any blow or kick to any animal.’ excitement, pain or suffering to any animal’ JV Richards – pigs were kicked in the face to get them to move AC Hopkins – partially stunned animals were and – in one case – to punish a pig for ‘getting in the way’. allowed to come round without immediate ‘No person shall stun, or cause or permit to be stunned, any re-stunning. animal unless it is possible to ‘No person shall lift or drag, or cause or (a) bleed it without delay permit to be lifted or dragged, any animal (b) kill it without delay.’ by the head, horns, ears, feet, tail, fleece or AC Hopkins – a group of pigs was left in the stun room for six-and- any other part of its body in such a way as a-half minutes. JV Richards – groups of pigs were left in the stun to cause it unnecessary pain or suffering.’ room for 13 and 15 minutes, and one group of sheep was left for AC Hopkins – a sheep was dragged into the 20 minutes. stun room by his head. JV Richards – sheep ‘No person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, were lifted by their fleece and thrown into the electrodes to stun any animal unless stun room. (a) the electrodes are so placed that they span the brain, ‘No person shall use, or cause or permit to enabling the current to pass through it be used, to make any animal move any (c) the strength and the duration of the current used is such instrument which administers an electric that the animal is immediately rendered unconscious and shock, except that such an instrument remains so until it is dead.’ which has been designed for the purpose AC Hopkins – electrodes were used in such a way that they did of making an animal move may be used not span the brain; and the current to some sheep and almost all on adult bovine animals and adult pigs the pigs was not administered long enough to ensure that they which refuse to move, provided that remained unconscious until death. JV Richards – because of (aa) the use of the instrument is avoided inadequate stunning, some sheep and pigs did not remain as far as possible unconscious until they were killed. (a) the shocks last no more than one ‘The occupier of a slaughterhouse and any person engaged

s second each, are adequately spaced out e

h in the movement or lairaging of animals shall ensure that no

c and are not used repeatedly if the animal a

e person drags any animal which has been stunned or killed r

b fails to respond

h over any other animal which has not been stunned or killed.’ t

y (b) the animal has room ahead of it in m At both AC Hopkins and JV Richards, sheep were stunned and r

e which to move t dragged over conscious sheep. h

g (c) such shocks are applied only to the u a l

s muscles of the hindquarters.’ ‘Any animal which is too young to take solid feed is e n

a AC Hopkins – the electric tongs were used as slaughtered or killed immediately’ m u

h a goad on the backs, shoulders, necks and AC Hopkins – suckling lambs were not stunned before the ewes. e h t ears of pigs to make them move closer to the 8 2

e hoist; and – in one case – to ‘punish’ a pig for g a

p ‘getting in the way’. Slaughterhouse Report:Layout 1 24/8/09 13:48 Page 31

References

1 Highland Council Trading Standards, Diagram 2. http://www.tradingstandards. gov.uk/cgi bin/highland/bus1item.cgi?file= *BADV654-0100.txt

2 Defra, ‘Animal welfare: Guidance Note on the Licensing and Training of Slaughtermen’ OPERATOR STANDS ON FELLED PIG TO REACH SHACKLING CHAINS http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/ farmed/slaughter/guidance.htm#captive

3 Temple Grandin, ‘Interpretation of the American Meat Institute (AMI) Animal Handling animal aid’s Guidelines for auditing the welfare of cattle, pigs, and sheep at slaughter plants’, June 2007. http://www.grandin.com/interpreting. ami.guidelines.html recommendations 4 Farm Animal Welfare Council, ‘Report on the Welfare of Farmed Animals at Slaughter or Killing, Part I: Red Meat, June 2003, • We believe that the abattoirs we chose are typical of those paragraph 206. spanning the country and, as such, we would expect standards 5 Defra, ‘Defra Response to Recommendations’ to be similar countrywide. Because of this and the lack of will http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/ farmed/final_response.pdf to enforce welfare legislation by Defra and its agencies, we join FAWC in calling for CCTV to be installed in all slaughter- 6 Compassion in World Farming, ‘Animal Welfare Problems in UK Slaugherhouses’, July 2001. houses, and would support its film being made available to http://www.ciwf.org.uk/includes/documents/ a panel that includes a representative from Animal Aid. cm_docs/2008/a/animal_welfare_problems_ in_uk_slaughterhouses_2001.pdf

• There should be ongoing training for all abattoir workers and 7 Farm Animal Welfare Council, ‘Report on the the law should be changed so that they are formally re-tested Welfare of Farmed Animals at Slaughter or every three years. Killing, Part I: Red Meat’, June 2003, paragraph 212. • Given the apparent routine and multiple legislative breaches 8 Schedule 6, Paragraph 3, ‘The Welfare of by the AC Hopkins stun operator/slaughterer, and evidence of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995’ his disregard for the welfare of animals, we are calling for the 9 Anil MH, Whittington PE and McKinstry JL, immediate revocation of his licence, and his prosecution for ‘The effect of sticking method on the welfare animal welfare breaches. of slaughtered pigs’, Meat Science, Vol 5, Issue 3, July 2000. • Additionally, we are calling for an independent investigation http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ into the reasons for what, in our view, is this worker’s deficient ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T9G-404R2RC- B&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search performance, including an assessment of the role of the AC &_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct= Hopkins’ management, the Meat Hygiene Service and the C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0& Official Veterinarians. _userid=10&md5=9457bd9dd0a69b6667 63b4705203a4c9

10 BBC, ‘Week In Week Out Special: Meat Hygiene’, October 2008.

11 Farm Animal Welfare Council, ‘Report on the Welfare of Farmed Animals at Slaughter or Killing, Part I: Red Meat’, June 2003, paragraph 270.

12 Ibid, paragraph 271.

13 Defra, ‘Farmed animal welfare: Slaughter’ http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/ farmed/slaughter.htm

14 Mr Boswell, Hansard Written Answers, 17 Dec 1996. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/ pa/cm199697/cmhansrd/vo961217/text/ 61217w24.htm Slaughterhouse Report:Layout 1 24/8/09 13:48 Page 32

the humane slaughter myth

An Animal Aid Investigation into UK Slaughterhouses

Animal Aid exposes and campaigns peacefully against all animal abuse, and promotes a cruelty-free lifestyle

Animal Aid, The Old Chapel, Bradford Street, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1AW Tel: 01732 364546 www.animalaid.org.uk [email protected] Published by Animal Aid – August 2009 ISBN No: 978-1-905327-19-5