HC Deb 11 November 1992 vol 213 cc803-4W
Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has on the voltages normally used for stunning poultry in British slaughterhouses.

Mr. Gummer

The legislation requires that birds must be instantaneously rendered insensible to pain until death. The code of practice on welfare of poultry at slaughter gives guidance on stunning currents. For broilers, it recommends a minimum, average stunning current of 105 milliamperes per bird to produce an adequate period of insensibility.