New measures to allow some animals to be slaughtered on farms, subject to stringent conditions, will soon enter into force in the EU. This follows Member States’ endorsement of the proposal in December and the conclusion of the subsequent adoption procedure. The new rules respond to increasing demands from farmers, seeking to reduce the stress of animals and to avoid hygiene issues that arise during the transport of the animals to the slaughterhouse. One of the aims of on-farm slaughter is to avert any risk for the handler and to prevent injuries to the animals during transport. As such, the measures are targeted towards animals living in free range conditions, who are not used to being handled and confined.

The new rules, which will enter into force next month, allow stunning and bleeding on the farm for sheep and goats, with such slaughter now allowed for any pig, cattle, horse, sheep or goat as the restriction of a possible risk for the handler or the animal is lifted. Strict hygiene rules will apply, such as the presence of an official veterinarian (OV) and an agreement between the slaughterhouse and the animal owner.

Measures have already been taken in the past to address these issues, notably with the establishment of mobile slaughterhouses. The stunning and bleeding of a limited number of cattle, pigs and horses on farms, under certain conditions, has also been permitted since 2021.

Further information:

• Animal Welfare in the EU
• View the Regulation