[chris3000]

Hi,

I am trying to get my head around the needs for a Slaughterman's Licence.

We are looking at having approx 25 birds being slaughtered (a few for us, the rest to be sold to a local farm shop).

You will see from my previous post I am looking at commercial slaughterhouses but wondered how the following exemption works:

"Neck dislocation or decapitation of poultry on the farm where the birds were reared"

This is the method I use for our own personal consumption - which is fine - but does it mean that I can continue this method without the need of the licence for the 25 birds I have planned?

Any advice would be wonderful

Many Thanks

chris

[lachlanandmarcus]

my understanding is this method can only be used for birds for your consumption, (or for emergency at commercial abbatoir eg if bird injured in lairage etc). For any birds to be sold, except in emergency as described, the stunning etc method have to be used and licensed people doing it  in approved premisesI think.
but I may be wrong, not an expert, just what I read in the regs when looking at whether to keep our geese for meat as well as the eggs we currently keep them for.

[chris3000]

That's what I thought to until I read the article on here that said the following:

Commercial slaughter
A poultry slaughterman’s licence is required for commercial slaughter. However, this does not apply to killing by neck dislocation or decapitation on the farm where the bird was reared.

but as I said I want to be sure - and ideally find somewhere local to get it done.

Thank you for your help

[lachlanandmarcus]

This is the DEFRA page, it does only appear to permit on farm slaughter for private consumption not onward sale.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/food-farm/animals/welfare/slaughter/kill-slaughter/
 

[chris3000]

just looked at the page above and clicked through to the schedule 1 of wask and it states the following:

SCHEDULE 1
THE LICENSING OF SLAUGHTERMEN

Scope of this Schedule

1.  The requirements of this Schedule shall not apply to any person who—


(a)for emergency reasons relating to the welfare of any animal has to slaughter or kill that animal immediately;


(b)slaughters or kills any animal elsewhere than in a slaughterhouse or knacker’s yard, provided that he is the owner of the animal and the slaughter or killing is for his private consumption;


(c)slaughters or kills any animal other than for a commercial purpose;


(d)kills by means of a free bullet any animal in the field;


(e)kills a bird by means of dislocation of the neck or decapitation on premises forming part of an agricultural holding on which the bird was reared;


(f)kills any animal for the purpose of disease control in accordance with Schedule 9;


(g)kills any fox or mink in accordance with Schedule 10;


(h)kills surplus chicks or embryos in hatchery waste in accordance with Schedule 11;


(i)operates any automatic equipment used to stun, slaughter or kill any animal without performing any of the operations specified in paragraph 3 below;


(j)shackles birds before stunning or killing; or


(k)is a veterinary surgeon acting in the exercise of his profession or a person acting under the direction of a veterinary surgeon so acting.

section e) is the key phrase ...... as I said confusing.

I think I will call DEFRA on Wednesday and ask them to clarify

Thanks again for everyones help

Chris

[chris3000]

Just thought I would update you all on the results of my call

Defra said "its confusing isn't it" and pointed me over to animal health.

Animal health were great, they said that it can be argued either way and tends to be raised when a dispute arises. They said it is best and safest  to get a licence.

They suggested I get the provisional licence that last three months first - only have to complete forms for this.
Then  get the full licence - it isn't difficult, and they said they will be on hand for advice anytime.

[lachlanandmarcus]

Thankyou for the update and for getting the clarification, you're dead right on the confusing guidelines.....just wish their answer wasnt always the gold plated option rather than sorting out the regs/advice but hey ho...:-)