F1EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations, which apply to England only, amend the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 (S.I.1995/731) (“the 1995 Regulations”) which govern the movement, lairaging, restraint, stunning, slaughter and killing of animals bred or kept for the production of meat, skin, fur or other products. The 1995 Regulations give effect to Council Directive 93/119/EC on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing (OJ No. L 340, 31.12.1993, p.21).

These Regulations insert regulation 26A in the 1995 Regulations to extend the time limit for bringing prosecutions for offences under the 1995 Regulations.

These Regulations insert regulation 29 in the 1995 Regulations which requires the Secretary of State to review the operation and effect of the 1995 Regulations in England and publish a report within five years of 6th April 2012 and within every five years after that.

Schedule 7 of the 1995 Regulations is amended to permit the use of a biphasic carbon dioxide gas mixture to kill birds in a slaughterhouse.

Schedule 7A of the 1995 Regulations is amended to extend the range of birds that can be killed by exposure to gas mixtures on the premises where they have been kept for the production of meat, eggs or other products to include not only hens but also all domestic fowl, turkeys, pheasants, quail, partridges, geese, ducks or guinea fowl.

A full impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business, the voluntary sector and the public sector is available from the Animal Welfare Division of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR and is published with the Explanatory Memorandum alongside the instrument on www.legislation.gov.uk.