Richard Jackson BVMS (Hons) MRCVS
In the past, when owners wished to dispatch a bird they often killed it by cervical dislocation.
In early 2014, the WATOK (Welfare of Animals at the Time Of Killing) rules come into force.
These rules forbid the use of cervical dislocation for non-emergency slaughter- e.g. Christmas turkeys, meat chickens and killing unwanted cockerels.
For owners wishing to kill such animals they will be required to stun the birds before slaughter using an approved stunner (captive bolt, percussive stunner or electrical stunner). Owners must ensure the stunner meets the WATOK rules as the regulations prescribe specifications for all such devices.
In order to use such stunners owners will be required to have an up-to-date license which is issued by the FSA and applied for through AHVLA. The license holder to be will have to be trained by either an AHVLA vet or by a licensed slaughter man. The trainer will have to observe the trainee successfully stun and kill three birds.
For the occasional emergency slaughter of chickens and ducks cervical dislocation will be allowed but only in birds up to 3Kg. For turkeys and geese over 3Kg cervical dislocation is not allowed and the animal must be stunned before slaughter.
In addition to these rules anyone selling poultry meat may be required by their local authority to register as a food business operator (FBO). Trading standards may inspect any FBO at any time.
For owners selling Christmas turkeys these can only be sold within 100km of their holding in order to be exempt from Salmonella testing. Note: This exemption only applies to holdings with less than 250 turkeys.
