Originally from: Farmtalking
                        
Sorry – I should have posted the full paper on these amendments.

DEFRA explain thus :-

(b) ending the ban in England currently applied by WASK to the
bleeding of most animals in the sight of other animals of the same species.

Recent research, sponsored by Defra, covering the main farm
animal species suggests that the bleeding of animals in sight of
their fellows does not lead to any significant increase in stress in those animals awaiting stunning. This makes it difficult to justify the continuation of the ban. A relaxation of the ban will shorten stun-tostick times and thus improve welfare. Scotland has never imposed a ban, apparently without problems. No scientific evidence was produced by the consultees opposed to the change to support their position. The ban on the bleeding of equines within sight of each other will continue.

See the pdf doc here – http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/farmed/slaughter/wask-guide1.pdf