Code of Conduct in the: A) Euthanasia for Pets/Companion Animals and B) Slaughter of Animals for Food

April 26, 1999

DA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 21-99

 

There are two methods of killing animals: 1) Euthanasia and 2) Slaughter. Euthanasia which is coined from Greek words — eu (well) and thanos (death) is defined as the process of inducing a painless death to pets. It has rapidly gained acceptance in many aspects of scientific procedures. It has in fact, become an accepted method in veterinary medicine. Slaughter, on the other hand, is killing of animals for food consumption and one is done after the animals are stunned.

Euthanasia and slaughter should be done rapidly and humanely and must occur with the least fear, anxiety, pain and distress to the animals. Consideration must be given to how the animals are handled immediately prior to and during the procedure. The personnel performing either method should have the technical competence and should be under the supervision of a veterinarian. Both should be trained and accredited by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and in the case of slaughter, by the National Meat Inspection Commission (NMIC).

Euthanasia and slaughter shall always be done away from public view.

In case a firearm is used, the following are required: 1) only licensed firearms shall be used; 2) only sharpshooter and members of the Philippine National Police and Gun Club deputized by the BAI and authorized by the concerned local government unit shall perform this duty. cACEHI

In case barbiturates are used, veterinarian involved shall secure a license from the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB).

SECTION 2. ^* Slaughter. —

2.1 Handling Prior to Slaughter

2.1.1 Loading, unloading, moving and drafting of livestock shall be supervised by an experienced livestock handler.

2.1.2 Employees handling livestock shall be regularly monitored to ensure they are handling livestock competently.

2.3 ^* Handling of Injured, Disabled or Sick Stock

2.3.1 Animals which are disabled or sick may be:

a) Held for proper treatment to render the animals suitable for slaughter.

b) Slaughter in accordance with the requirements of the relevant meat inspection authority or

c) Humanely destroyed if the owner or his agent does not wish the animal to be treated or rendered suitable slaughter.

2.3.2 Animals which are disabled or injured during transport to or while held at an abattoir and the injury or disability causes severe suffering the animals should be destroyed humanely without avoidable delay, notwithstanding that where an authorized officer of the relevant meat inspection authority is available and there is no delay in inspecting the animal they it may be inspected by the authorized officer to determine its eligibility for emergency slaughter. AECDHS

2.4 Handling

2.4.1 When an animal which is injured, disabled or sick and unable to walk from transport vehicle is to be salvaged, it shall be handled as follows:

a) if eligible, treated as emergency slaughter animal when it arrives during the hours of slaughter operation, or

b) under the direct supervision of an experienced stockman removed from the transport vehicles as humanely as possible. DEHaAS

2.4.2 Where an animal is unable to walk:

a) humane means of conveyance shall be available to transport the animal to the sticking area or to holding pen for treatment, or

b) the animal may be treated as an emergency slaughter case or destroyed.

2.5 Handling of Escaped Animals

2.5.1 When an animal escapes from holding pens, it shall be:

a) Retrieved by the use of humane handling methods covered in this section.

b) Treated as an emergency slaughter case, or a mechanical stunner (penetrating or percussion) including cartridge and pneumatic captive bolt types.

c) Humanely destroyed.

2.5.2 The use of water sprays from wetting pigs, cattle, carabao, horses, goats is recommended in the hot weather. The use shall be kept in minimum.

2.6 Stunning of Livestock Prior to Slaughter

2.6.1 Animals to be stunned prior to slaughter

a) Except in the case of the next paragraph (paragraph b) all animals presented for slaughter shall be effectively stunned (rendered immediately unconscious) prior to sticking where irreversible stunning causing permanent unconsciousness is the method choice.

b) In the case of the religious ritual slaughter the appropriate legislation may require the relevant meat inspection authority to approve slaughter without prior stunning. Any such approval shall be subject to condition or restriction of that authority. aSHAIC

2.6.2 Stunning procedures

a) Stunning and sticking shall proceed in a manner that ensures that the animals do not regain consciousness.

b) Where reversible stunning is used, the rate of stunning shall be commensurate with the rate of which animals are bled.

2.6.3 Personnel stunning animals shall:

a) Possess the expertise necessary to ensure that the animal is rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement or disturbance and without suffering.

b) Perform the stunning procedures in a manner that shall normally ensure that each animal is immediately rendered unconscious, and

c) Operate the stunning equipment in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications for effective stunning.

2.6.4 Effective stunning shall be performed by means of:

a) An electric stunner

b) A firearm in case of cattle, carabao and matured boars

c) A mechanical stunner (penetrating or percussion) including cartridge and pneumatic captive bolt types.

d) A firearm when stunning of any animal not covered in (c) above, any other method would place the operator at risk of personal injury, or

e) Any other devices which effectively stuns an animal in humane manner. EcATDH

2.6.5 Where stunning equipment that procedures a reversible stun is used

a) In case of a large stock, an operational captive bolt stunner shall be available in the stunning area; and

b) In case of small stock where the stunning equipment is fixed and cannot be used to stun animals which may recover an alternative means of stunning, the animals shall be available in the stunning area.

2.6.6 Electrically live electrodes of electrical stunning equipment shall not be used for driving, catching, or immobilization of an animal prior to stunning.

2.6.7 Non-penetrative percussion stunning equipment shall not be used.

a) On species other than bovine.

b) In other position other than the frontal position.

c) On any animal where an effective stun cannot be anticipated.

d) After the stun is ineffective with two (2) applications. In this situation a penetrative captive bolt shall be used without avoidable delay.

e) On cattle slaughter in accordance with religious/ritual requirements (unless the change is sufficient to cause penetration of the cranial cavity, i.e., is effectively an irreversible stun.) HDcaAI

2.6.8 The placement of the stunner shall be appropriate to the species of livestock being stunned and the type of stunning equipment used.

2.6.9 Restraint of animals to be stunned

a) At the time of stunning, the animals shall be restrained.

b) Where "V" shaped conveyor type restrainers are used they shall:

(1) Be of design suitable for effective restraint of the animal.

(2) Not be used to hold animals during anticipated breaks.

 In case of knocking boxes they shall: aEHADT

(1) Be long enough to comfortably accommodate one animal.

(2) Not to be used to accommodate more than one animal at time of stunning; and

(3) Not to be used to hold an animal during anticipated breaks.

c) In the case of pen stunning, the pen shall be appropriate size that provides adequate restrain of the animal (so as to ensure an effective stunning operation). Pen stunning is only permitted where the stunning to sticking intervals is always achieved.

d) Where an animal shows signs of recovery from the stun, it shall be immediately re-stunned and slaughtered.

e) Where an animal or animals recovers from the stun the reason shall be identified and steps taken to prevent reoccurrence.

f) Where an animal escapes at the time of or after stunning, the animals shall be retrieved immediately and then immediately stunned and slaughtered.

2.6.10 Stunning Equipment

a) Stunning equipment shall be maintained in good operational condition.

b) Electrical stunning equipment shall be:

(1) Capable of achieving humane and effective stunning.

(2) Provide with operational and conveniently located means of adjustment of the electrical voltage and/or amperage and time setting indicated in the appropriate units of measurements, and such adjustment being made by approved personnel.

(3) Provide with an operational and conveniently located light or buzzer to indicate when current is flowing; and

(4) Approved by the relevant electrical authority.

c) Mechanical stunning equipment shall be:

(1) Of a make and model suitable for the size and weight range of the livestock slaughtered. HAEDCT

(2) Operated at the cartridge or air pressure not less than the manufacturer's specifications.

(3) Used with cartridge stored in a dry place in a manner which maintains cartridge efficiency.

SECTION 3. Penal Provisions. —

Any person who violates any of the provision of this Order shall, upon conviction by the final judgement, be punished with imprisonment of not less than six (6) months nor more than (2) years or a fine of not less than One Thousand Pesos (P1,000) nor more than Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) or both at the discretion of the Court. If the violation is committed by an alien, he or she shall be immediately deported after service of sentence without any further proceedings.

SECTION 4. Separability Clause. —

In case any provision of these rules and regulations is declared contrary to law or unconstitutional, other provisions which are not affected thereby shall continue to be enforced and effect.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. —

All administrative Orders, Rules and Regulations and other administrative issuance or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provision of this regulation are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 

SECTION 6. Effectivity. —

This Regulation shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation. SEIacA

(SGD.) WILLIAM D. DARActing SecretaryDepartment of Agriculture