Slaughterhouses across the EU will soon have to introduce stricter measures in order to improve the conditions of animals at the time of killing and ensure they are humanely treated.

Among the new rules the European Commission is proposing, slaughterhouses will have to appoint an animal welfare officer who will be responsible for implementing the animal welfare measures. Slaughterhouses will also have to ensure that all their staff handling animals are trained and certified every five years.

They also have to be submitted to an independent examination by accredited bodies.

According to the Commission, the new rules, yet to be approved by EU member states, will simplify the existing legislation and bring it in line with food hygiene regulations.

Stunning equipment, used to kill the animals minutes before their slaughter, will need to be certified to ensure proper animal welfare.

The proposal requires operators to evaluate the efficiency of their stunning methods through animal-based indicators. After stunning, animals will have to be regularly monitored to ensure they do not regain consciousness before slaughter.

Introducing the new proposals, Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Health, said Europe has the duty to care for animals with measures that include minimising distress and avoiding pain through the slaughtering process. "The current EU rules are outdated and need revision. This proposal will make a real difference in the way animals are treated at the time of slaughter."

It is estimated that every year in the EU more than 360 million pigs, sheep, goats and cattle and several billion poultry are killed in slaughterhouses for their meat. In addition, about 25 million animals are killed for their fur.

The new rules will apply for all types of slaughterhouses.

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