7 USC Ch. 48: HUMANE METHODS OF LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTER

From Title 7—AGRICULTURE

CHAPTER 48—HUMANE METHODS OF LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTER

Sec.

1901.

Findings and declaration of policy.

1902.

Humane methods.

1903.

Repealed.

1904.

Methods research; designation of methods.

1905.

Repealed.

1906.

Exemption of ritual slaughter.

Chapter Referred to in Other Sections

This chapter is referred to in title 21 sections 603, 610, 620.

§1901. Findings and declaration of policy

The Congress finds that the use of humane methods in the slaughter of livestock prevents needless suffering; results in safer and better working conditions for persons engaged in the slaughtering industry; brings about improvement of products and economies in slaughtering operations; and produces other benefits for producers, processors, and consumers which tend to expedite an orderly flow of livestock and livestock products in interstate and foreign commerce. It is therefore declared to be the policy of the United States that the slaughtering of livestock and the handling of livestock in connection with slaughter shall be carried out only by humane methods.

(Pub. L. 85 765, §1, Aug. 27, 1958, 72 Stat. 862.)

Short Title of 1978 Amendment

For citation of Pub. L. 95 445, Oct. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 1069, as the "Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1978", see Short Title of 1978 Amendment note set out under section 601 of Title 21, Food and Drugs.

§1902. Humane methods

No method of slaughtering or handling in connection with slaughtering shall be deemed to comply with the public policy of the United States unless it is humane. Either of the following two methods of slaughtering and handling are hereby found to be humane:

(a) in the case of cattle, calves, horses, mules, sheep, swine, and other livestock, all animals are rendered insensible to pain by a single blow or gunshot or an electrical, chemical or other means that is rapid and effective, before being shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut; or

(b) by slaughtering in accordance with the ritual requirements of the Jewish faith or any other religious faith that prescribes a method of slaughter whereby the animal suffers loss of consciousness by anemia of the brain caused by the simultaneous and instantaneous severance of the carotid arteries with a sharp instrument and handling in connection with such slaughtering.

(Pub. L. 85 765, §2, Aug. 27, 1958, 72 Stat. 862; Pub. L. 95 445, §5(a), Oct. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 1069.)

Amendments

1978—Par. (b). Pub. L. 95 445 inserted "and handling in connection with such slaughtering" at end.

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95 445 effective one year after Oct. 10, 1978, and nonapplicability during not to exceed additional 18 months in hardship cases, see sec. 7 of Pub. L. 95 445 set out as a note under section 603 of Title 21, Food and Drugs.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in section 1906 of this title.

§1903. Repealed. Pub. L. 95 445, §5(b), Oct. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 1069

Section, Pub. L. 85 765, §3, Aug. 27, 1958, 72 Stat. 862, related to limitations on Government procurement and price support, modifications during national emergency, and statements of eligibility.

Effective Date of Repeal

Repeal effective one year after Oct. 10, 1978, and nonapplicability during not to exceed additional 18 months in hardship cases, see sec. 7 of Pub. L. 95 445 set out as an Effective Date of 1978 Amendment note under section 603 of Title 21, Food and Drugs.

Contracts For or Procurement of Livestock Products During the Period From June 30, 1960, to August 30, 1960

Pub. L. 86 547, June 29, 1960, 74 Stat. 255, permitted any agency or instrumentality of the United States, during the period from June 30, 1960, to August 30, 1960, to contract for or procure livestock products produced or processed by a slaughterer or processor which slaughters or handles for slaughter livestock by methods other than those designated and approved by the Secretary of Agriculture if such slaughterer or processor has contracted for the purchase of the equipment necessary to enable him to adopt such methods but such equipment has not been delivered to him.

§1904. Methods research; designation of methods

In furtherance of the policy expressed herein the Secretary is authorized and directed—

(a) to conduct, assist, and foster research, investigation, and experimentation to develop and determine methods of slaughter and the handling of livestock in connection with slaughter which are practicable with reference to the speed and scope of slaughtering operations and humane with reference to other existing methods and then current scientific knowledge; and

(b) on or before March 1, 1959, and at such times thereafter as he deems advisable, to designate methods of slaughter and of handling in connection with slaughter which, with respect to each species of livestock, conform to the policy stated in this chapter. If he deems it more effective, the Secretary may make any such designation by designating methods which are not in conformity with such policy. Designations by the Secretary subsequent to March 1, 1959, shall become effective 180 days after their publication in the Federal Register.

(Pub. L. 85 765, §4, Aug. 27, 1958, 72 Stat. 863; Pub. L. 95 445, §5(b) (e), Oct. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 1069.)

Amendments

1978—Par. (a). Pub. L. 95 445, §5(d), inserted "and" after the semicolon at end.

Par. (b). Pub. L. 95 445, §5(c), (e), struck out "for purposes of section 1903 of this title" before "180 days", and substituted a period for the semicolon at end.

Par. (c). Pub. L. 95 445, §5(b), repealed par. (c).

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

§1905. Repealed. Pub. L. 95 445, §5(b), Oct. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 1069

Section, Pub. L. 85 765, §5, Aug. 27, 1958, 72 Stat. 863, related to establishment, composition, functions, compensation, meetings, and reports of advisory committees.

Effective Date of Repeal

§1906. Exemption of ritual slaughter

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit, abridge, or in any way hinder the religious freedom of any person or group. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, in order to protect freedom of religion, ritual slaughter and the handling or other preparation of livestock for ritual slaughter are exempted from the terms of this chapter. For the purposes of this section the term "ritual slaughter" means slaughter in accordance with section 1902(b) of this title.

(Pub. L. 85 765, §6, Aug. 27, 1958, 72 Stat. 864.)