Vol. 436 No. 7
168 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will introduce regulations aimed at alleviating the suffering endured by turkeys due to be slaughtered in meat production units for the Christmas season.
Under existing law, poultry brought into slaughter premises must be stunned and must be slaughtered immediately after stunning. A proposal for a directive on the protection of animals, including poultry, at the time of slaughter is currently under consideration by the Council of the European Union. This proposal lays down detailed rules for stunning procedures and, when adopted, will be transposed into national law.
