§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many animal welfare personnel there are it slaughterhouses; how many animals have been slaughtered without animal welfare personnel present for each year from 1994 to date; and if she will make a statement. [184845]
§ Mr. BradshawUnder the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995, a slaughterhouse occupier must ensure that a competent person is available whenever there are live animals on the premises. This person must have the authority to take whatever action may be necessary to safeguard the welfare of the animals in accordance with the Regulations. The legislation is enforced by Official Veterinary Surgeons of the Meat Hygiene Service in licensed slaughterhouses, and by Veterinary Officers of the State Veterinary Service elsewhere.
The Regulations do not require the competent person to be physically present at the point of slaughter when animals are being slaughtered or killed. Therefore, there is no data on the number of livestock slaughtered without animal welfare personnel present.