Regulation 4 of SI 114 of 1995 states that the owner or person in charge of animals to be slaughtered or slaughtered on-farm shall ensure that the animals be spared any avoidable excitement, pain or suffering during movement, lairaging, restraint, stunning, slaughter or killing. Accordingly animals must be slaughtered in compliance with Schedule six of the European Communities (Protection of Animals at Time of Slaughter) Regulations, 1995. Equipment is inspected annually and entails ascertainment of compliance with section II (Part 3) of the Sixth Schedule of the above named legislation.