Preparation of best practices on the protection of animals at the time of killing : executive summary

This report summarizes the work carried out on the study "Preparation of best practices on the protection of animals at the time of killing", on behalf of the European Commission (DG SANTE). The study has provided, assessed and evaluated the necessary information to elaborate elements for best practices on the protection of animals at the time of killing. It has focused on areas identified as problematic during recent Commission audits carried out in various Member States. These areas include: the slaughter in small slaughterhouses (poultry and mammals) and the elaboration of the respective standard operating procedures; the slaughter of poultry using electrical waterbath stunning; the slaughter of animal without stunning in the context of ritual slaughter; and the killing of animals on farm (culled animals, emergency killing and slaughter for direct supply of small quantities of poultry, rabbits and hares).