[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 9, Volume 2]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 9CFR313.30]

[Page 150-151]
 
                  TITLE 9--ANIMALS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS
 
     CHAPTER III--FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF 
                               AGRICULTURE
 
PART 313_HUMANE SLAUGHTER OF LIVESTOCK--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 313.30  Electrical; stunning or slaughtering 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.

[[Page 151]]

    (a) Administration of electric current, required effect; handling. 
(1) The electric current shall be administered so as to produce, at a 
minimum, surgical anesthesia, i.e., a state where the animal feels no 
painful sensation. The animals shall be either stunned or killed before 
they are shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. They shall be exposed 
to the electric current in a way that will accomplish the desired result 
quickly and effectively, with a minimum of excitement and discomfort.
    (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 ensure 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.
    (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 or her 
responsibility.
    (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 properly accommodate the species of 
animals being anesthetized. Animals 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 shall be so 
fabricated that they will not cause injury. All equipment used to apply 
and control the electrical current shall be maintained in good repair, 
and all indicators, instruments, and measuring devices shall be 
available for inspection by Program inspectors during the operation and 
at other times.
    (3) Electric current. Each animal shall be given a sufficient 
application of electric current to ensure surgical anesthesia throughout 
the bleeding operation. Suitable timing, voltage and current control 
devices shall be used to ensure that each animal receives the necessary 
electrical charge to produce immediate unconsciousness. The current 
shall be applied so as to avoid the production of hemorrhages or other 
tissue changes which could interfere with inspection procedures.

[44 FR 68813, Nov. 30, 1979, as amended at 50 FR 25202, June 18, 1985]