Originally from: mona parr
                        
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/animalhwstrat/index.htm

NEW REGULATIONS LAID IN PARLIAMENT TO ENHANCE ANIMAL WELFARE AT SLAUGHTER AND KILLING
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2003/031215e.htm
The Statutory Instrument makes four amendments to the WASK Regulations. It will:
permit the wider use of the new percussive device (modified captive bolt pistol) for use when culling poultry for disease control purposes;
end the current ban on the bleeding of animals in the sight of other animals of the same species, bringing England into line with Scotland, although the ban will still apply to equines;
12 months after coming into force, reduce the maximum time poultry may be hung before being stunned or killed from six to three minutes for turkeys and from three to two minutes for other poultry excluding ratites and require the surrender of suspended/revoked slaughter licences to the Meat Hygiene Service to ensure that a slaughterman who has had his or her licence suspended/revoked cannot operate as a slaughterman in another slaughterhouse or knacker's yard