The Code of Federal Regulations of the United States of America

pling of gas for analysis shall be made from a representative place or places within the chamber and on a continuing basis. Gas concentrations and exposure time shall be graphically recorded throughout each day's operation. Neither carbon dioxide nor atmospheric air used in the anesthesia chambers shall contain noxious or irritating gasses. Each day before equipment is used for anesthetizing animals, proper care shall be taken to mix adequately the gas and air within the chamber. All gas producing and control equipment shall be maintained in good repair and all indicators, instruments, and measuring devices must be available for inspection by Program inspectors during anesthetizing operations and at other times. A suitable exhaust system must be provided to eliminate possible overdosages due to mechanical or other failure of

equipment.

[24 F.R. 1551, Mar. 3, 1959, as amended at 24 F.R. 6434, Aug. 11, 1959; 28 F.R. 9840, Sept. 10, 1963; 32 F.R. 13115, Sept. 15, 1967. Redesignated at 37 F.R. 7311, Apr. 13, 1972] § 390.15 Mechanical; captive bolt.

The slaughtering of sheep, swine, goats, calves, cattle, horses and mules by using captive bolt stunners and the handling in connection therewith, in compliance with the provisions contained in this section, are hereby designated and approved as humane methods of slaughtering and handling of such animals under the act.

(a) Application of stunners, required effect; handling. (1) The captive bolt stunners shall be applied to the livestock in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animals before they are shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animals shall be stunned in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort.

(2) The driving of the animals to the stunning areas shall be done with a minimum of excitement and discomfort to the animals. Delivery of calm animals to the stunning areas is essential since accurate placement of stunning equipment is difficult on nervous or injured animals. Among other things, this requires that, in driving animals to the stunning areas, electrical equipment be used as little as possible and with the lowest effective voltage.

(3) Immediately after the stunning blow is delivered the animals shall be in a state of complete unconsciousness and remain in this condition throughout shackling, sticking and bleeding.

(b) Facilities and procedures—(1) General requirements for stunning facilities; operator. (1) Acceptable captive bolt stunning instruments may be either skull penetrating or non-penetrating. The latter type is also described as a concussion or mushroom type stunner. Penetrating instruments on detonation deliver bolts of varying diameters and lengths through the skull and into the brain. Unconsciousness is produced immediately by physical brain destruction and a combination of changes in intracranial pressure and acceleration concussion. Non-penetrating or mushroom stunners on detonation deliver a bolt with a flattened circular head against the external surface of the animal's head over the brain. Diameter of the striking surface of the stunner may vary as conditions require. Unconsciousness produced immediately by a combination of acceleration concussion and changes in intracranial pressures. A combination instrument utilizing both penetrating and non-penetrating principles is acceptable. Energizing of instruments may be accomplished by detonation of measured charges of gunpowder or accurately controlled compressed air. Captive bolts shall be of such size and design that, when properly positioned and activated, immediate unconsciousness is produced.

(ii) To assure uniform unconsciousness with every blow, compressed air devices must be equipped to deliver the necessary constant air pressure and must have accurate, constantly operating air pressure gauges. Gauges must be easily read and conveniently located for use by the stunning operator and the inspector. For purposes of protecting employees, inspectors, and others, it is desirable that any stunning device be equipped with safety features to prevent injuries from accidental discharge. Stunning instruments must be maintained in good repair.

(iii) The stunning area shall be so designed and constructed as to limit the free movements of animals sufficiently to allow the operator to locate the stunning blow with a high degree of accuracy. All chutes, alleys, gates and restraining mechanisms between and including holding pens and stunning area shall be free from pain-producing features such as

exposed bolt ends, loose boards, splintered or broken planking, and protruding sharp metal of any kind. There shall be no unnecessary holes or other openings where feet or legs of animals may be injured. Overhead drop gates shall be suitably covered on the bottom edge to prevent injury on contact with animals. Roughened or cleated cement shall be used as flooring in chutes leading to stunning areas to reduce falls of animals. Chutes, alleys, and stunning areas shall be so designed that they will comfortably accommodate the kinds of animals to be stunned.

(iv) The stunning operation is an exacting procedure and requires a welltrained and experienced operator. He must be able to accurately place the stunning instrument to produce immediate unconsciousness. He must use the correct detonating charge with regard to kind, breed, size, age, and sex of the animal to produce the desired results.

(2) Special requirements. Choice of instrument and force required to produce immediate unconsciousness varies, depending on kind, breed, size, age, and sex of the animal. Young swine, lambs, and calves usually require less stunning force than mature animals of the same kind. Bulls, rams, and boars usually require skull penetration to produce immediate unconsciousness. Charges suitable for smaller kinds of livestock such as swine or for young animals are not acceptably interchanged for use on larger kinds or older livestock, respectively.

[24 F.R. 1551, Mar. 3. 1959. Redesignated at 37 F.R. 7311, Apr. 13, 1972]

§ 390.16 Mechanical; gunshot.

The slaughtering of cattle, calves, sheep, swine, goats, horses and mules by shooting with firearms and the handling in connection therewith, in compliance with the provisions contained in this section, are hereby designated and approved as humane methods of slaughtering and handling of such animals under the act. (a) Utilization of firearms, required effect; handling. (1) The firearms shall be employed in the delivery of a bullet or projectile into the animal in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animal by a single shot before it is shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animals shall be shot in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with

a minimum of excitement and discomfort.

(2) The driving of the animals to the shooting areas shall be done with a minimum of excitement and discomfort to the animals. Delivery of calm animals to the shooting area is essential since accurate placement of the bullet is difficult in case of nervous or injured animals. Among other things, this requires that, in driving animals to the shooting areas, electrical equipment be used as little as possible and with the lowest effective voltage.

(3) Immediately after the firearm is discharged and the projectile is delivered, the animal shall be in a state of complete unconsciousness and remain in this condition throughout shackling, sticking, and bleeding.

(b) Facilities and procedure-(1) General requirements for shooting facilities; operator. (1) On discharge, acceptable firearms dispatch free projectiles or bullets of varying sizes and diameters through the skull and into the brain. Unconsciousness is produced immediately by a combination of physical brain destruction and changes in intracranial pressure. Caliber of firearms shall be such that when properly aimed and discharged, the projectile produces immediate unconsciousness.

(ii) To assure uniform unconsciousness of the animal with every discharge where small-bore firearms are employed, it is necessary to use one of the following type projectiles: Hollow pointed bullets; frangible iron plastic composition bullets; or powdered iron missiles. When powdered iron missiles are used, the firearms shall be in close proximity with the skull of the animal when fired. Firearms must be maintained in good repair. For purposes of protecting employees, inspectors and others, it is desirable that all firearms be equipped with safety devices to prevent injuries from accidental discharge. Aiming and discharging of firearms should be directed away from operating areas.

(iii) The provisions contained in § 380.15(b) (1) (iii) with respect to the stunning area also apply to the shooting

area.

(iv) The shooting operation is an exacting procedure and requires a welltrained and experienced operator. He must be able to accurately direct the projectile to produce immediate unconsciousness. He must use the correct caliber firearm, powder charge and type

of ammunition to produce the desired results.

(2) Special requirements. Choice of firearms and ammunition with respect to caliber and choice of powder charge required to produce immediate unconsciousness of the animal may vary depending on age and sex of the animal. In the case of bulls, rams, and boars, small bore firearms may be used provided they are able to produce immediate unconsciousness of the animals. Small bore firearms are usually effective for stunning other cattle, sheep, swine, and goats, and calves, horses and mules.

[24 F.R. 1552, Mar. 3, 1959, as amended at 26 F.R. 1115, Feb. 7, 1961; 27 F.R. 11253, Nov. 15, 1962. Redesignated at 37 F.R. 7311, Apr. 13, 1972]

§ 390.30

Electrical; stunning with electric current.

The slaughtering of swine, sheep, calves, cattle and goats with the use of electric current and the handling in connection therewith, in compliance with the provisions contained in this section, are hereby designated and approved as humane methods of slaughtering and handling of such animals under the act.

(a) Administration of electric current, required effect; handling. (1) The electric current shall be administered so as to produce surgical anesthesia in the animals before

they are shackled,

hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animals shall be exposed to the electric current in a way that will accomplish the anesthesia quickly and calmly, with a minimum of excitement and discomfort to the animals.

(2) The driving or conveying of the animals to the place of application of electric current shall be done with a minimum of excitement and discomfort to the animals. Delivery of calm animals to the place of application is essential to insure rapid and effective insensibility. Among other things this requires that, in driving animals to the place of application, electrical equipment be used as little as possible and with the lowest effective voltage.

(3) The quality and location of the electrical shock shall be such as to produce immediate insensibility to pain in the exposed animal.

(4) The stunned animal shall remain In a state of surgical anesthesia through shackling, sticking and bleeding. However, the animal shall die from loss of blood resulting from the sticking and

bleeding, and not from the electrical shock.

(b) Facilities and procedures; operator-(1) General requirements for operator. It is necessary that the operator of electric current application equipment be skilled, attentive, and aware of his responsibility. Overdosages and death of animals can be brought about by carelessness of this individual.

(2) Special requirements for electric current application equipment. The ability of electric current equipment to perform with maximum efficiency is dependent on its proper design and efficient mechanical operation. Pathways, compartments, current applicators, and all other equipment used must be designed to accommodate properly the species of animals being anesthetized. They shall be free from pain-producing restraining devices. Injury of animals must be prevented by the elimination of sharp projections or exposed wheels or gears. There shall be no unnecessary holes, spaces or openings where feet or legs of animals may be injured. Impellers or other devices designed to mechanically move or drive animals or otherwise keep them in motion or compartmentalized shall be constructed of flexible or padded material. Power activated gates designed for constant flow of animals to electrical stunning equipment shall be so fabricated that they will not cause injury. All electrical stunning and auxiliary control and other equipment shall be maintained in good repair and all indicators, instruments, and measuring devices shall be available for inspection by Program inspectors during stunning operations and at other times.

(3) Electric current. Each animal shall be given a sufficient application of electric current to insure unconsciousness immediately and through the bleeding operation. Suitable timing, voltage and current control devices shall be used to insure that each animal receives the necessary electrical charge to produce immediate unconsciousness. Moreover, the current shall be applied so as to avoid the production of hemorrhages or other tissue changes that would interfere with the inspection procedures of the Meat and Poultry Inspection Program.

[24 F.R. 1552, Mar. 3, 1959, as amended at 25 F.R. 4541, May 24, 1960; 32 F.R. 13115, Sept. 15, 1967. Redesignated at 37 F.R. 7311, Apr. 13, 1972]

PART 391-IDENTIFICATION OF CARCASSES OF CERTAIN HUMANELY SLAUGHTERED LIVESTOCK

§ 391.1

Statement of policy regarding identification.

(a) Under section 4 of the Act of August 27, 1958, relating to humane slaughter (7 U.S.C. 1904) the Department of Agriculture is directed to establish suitable means of identifying the carcasses of livestock inspected and passed under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 71 et seq.) that have been slaughtered in accordance with the public policy declared in the humane slaughter act. The procedure described in paragraph (b) of this section is hereby established as the suitable means of such identification.

(b) Periodically, based on current information, the Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department of Agriculture, will publish in the FEDERAL REGISTER, as a notice, a table listing the names of the official establishments operating under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, which use humane methods of slaughter and incidental handling; the official establishment numbers thereof; and the species of livestock being slaughtered in such establishment in accordance with such methods. Additions and deletions from the list may also be

made by the Administrator by notice in the FEDERAL REGISTER when necessary. Carcasses of the listed species of animals that have been prepared and branded with the Federal meat inspection stamp in the listed official establishments, respectively, will be considered thereby identified within the meaning of section 4 of the act of August 27, 1958, as having been slaughtered in accordance with the public policy of that act, provided the establishment and the species were so listed at the time of such branding. The table should not be understood to indicate that species of livestock slaughtered at a listed establishment are slaughtered and handled by humane methods unless such species are listed for that establishment in the table. Nor should the table be understood to indicate whether or not the affiliates of any listed establishment use only humane methods.

(c) The term "Administrator" as used in this part means the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the Department of any officer or employee of the Department to whom authority has heretofore been delegated, or to whom authority may hereafter be delegated, to act in his stead.