
1 
These Regulations may be cited as the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and shall come into operation on 1st January 2012.
2 
The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 shall apply to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Assembly.
3 
The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 are amended in accordance with regulations 4 to 17.
4 
In paragraph (2) of regulation 15, after the word “slaughterhouse” insert the words “or knacker’s yard.”.
5 
After regulation 26, insert—“
26A. 

(1) Notwithstanding anything in Article 19(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981, a magistrates’ court may hear and determine a complaint relating to an offence under these Regulations if the complaint is made—
(a) before the end of the period of three years beginning with the date of the commission of the offence, and
(b) before the end of the period of twelve months beginning with the date on which evidence which the prosecutor thinks is sufficient to justify the proceedings comes to their knowledge.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b)—
(a) a certificate signed by or on behalf of the prosecutor and stating the date on which such evidence came to the prosecutor’s knowledge shall be conclusive evidence of that fact, and
(b) a certificate stating that matter and purporting to be so signed shall be treated as so signed unless the contrary is proved.”.
6 
In Schedule 5, Part III, in paragraph 13(e), after the word “slaughterhouse” insert the words “ or knacker’s yard”.
7 
In Schedule 7, Part III, in paragraph 7(2), for head (b) substitute—“
(b) any mixture of argon, nitrogen, or other inert gases with atmospheric air and carbon dioxide provided that the carbon dioxide concentration does not exceed 30% by volume and the oxygen concentration does not exceed 2% by volume; or
(c) a biphasic carbon dioxide gas mixture comprising a gas mixture containing up to 40% by volume of carbon dioxide (phase 1), followed by a gas mixture containing a minimum of 70% by volume of carbon dioxide (phase 2).”.
8 
In Schedule 7, Part III, in paragraph 8(c)(iii), for heads (aa) and (bb) substitute—“(aa) where the gas mixture used is that mentioned at paragraph 7(2)(a) above, if the concentration by volume of oxygen rises above 5% for more than 30 seconds;(bb) where the gas mixture used is that mentioned at paragraph 7(2)(b) above, if the concentration by volume of carbon dioxide rises above 30%;(cc) where the gas mixture used is that mentioned at paragraph 7(2)(c) above, if the concentration by volume of carbon dioxide rises above 40% during phase 1; and(dd) where the gas mixture used is that mentioned at paragraph 7(2)(c) above, if the concentration by volume of carbon dioxide falls below 70% during phase 2. ”.
9 
In Schedule 7, Part III,—
(a) in paragraph 9, for sub-paragraph (a) substitute—“
(a) 
(i) where the gas mixture used is that mentioned at paragraph 7(2)(a) or 7(2)(b) above, the birds are exposed to the gas mixture for long enough to ensure that they are killed;
(ii) where the gas mixture used is that mentioned at paragraph 7(2)(c) above, the birds are exposed to the phase 1 gas mixture for long enough to ensure that they are unconscious, before they are exposed to the phase 2 gas mixture for long enough to ensure that they are killed. In all cases birds must remain unconscious from the end of their exposure to the phase 1 mixture until death; ”.
(b) in paragraph 10, for sub-paragraph (b)(ii) substitute—“
(ii) where the gas mixture used is that mentioned at paragraph 7(2)(a) or 7(2)(b), the displayed concentration of carbon dioxide is above 30% by volume; or
(iii) where the gas mixture used is that mentioned at paragraph 7(2)(c), the displayed concentration of carbon dioxide is above 40% by volume during phase 1;”.
10 
In Schedule 7A, in the cross heading, after the word “Slaughterhouse” insert the words “or Knacker’s Yard”.
11 
In Schedule 7A, Part I, in paragraph 1—
(a) omit the definitions of “breeder hen”, “end of lay hen”, “end of life breeder hen” and “laying hen”;
(b) in the definition of “chamber” omit the words “end of lay hens, end of life breeder hens or”.
12 
In Schedule 7A, Part II, in paragraph 2, after the word “slaughterhouse” insert the words “or knacker’s yard”.
13 
In Schedule 7A, Part III—
(a) in the heading, for the words “End of lay hens and end of life breeder hens” substitute the word “Birds”.
(b) for paragraph 3(1), substitute—“Birds may be killed on premises where they have been kept by exposure to gas mixtures in accordance with Part VI.”.
(c) in paragraph 3(2)—
(i) for the words “the end of lay hens or the end of life breeder hens” substitute the words “the birds”;
(ii) for head (e), substitute—“
(e) the number and age of birds being killed.”.
(d) in paragraph 3(3), for the words “end of lay hens and end of life breeder hens” substitute the word “birds”.
(e) after paragraph (3), add—“
(4) Notification under this paragraph is not required if the Department authorises the killing of birds by exposure to gas in accordance with Part IV.”.
14 
In Schedule 7A, Part IV, in paragraph 4(1), after the word “slaughterhouse”, insert the words “or knacker’s yard”.
15 
In Schedule 7A, Part V, in paragraph 6—
(a) omit the words “end of lay hens, end of life breeder hens or”;
(b) in paragraph 6(a), omit the words “hen or”.
16 
In Schedule 7A, Part V, in paragraph 7—
(a) in paragraph 7(b), omit the words “end of lay hens, end of life breeder hens and”;
(b) for the words in paragraph 7(d) substitute—“
(d) after exposure to a gas mixture nothing more is done to a bird until it is ascertained that it is dead.”.
17 
In Schedule 7A, Part VI, in paragraph 8, omit the words “, end of lay hens and end of life breeder hens”.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on 5th December 2011
C McMaster
A senior officer of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
