Answer given by Mr Andriukaitis on behalf of the European Commission

31.1.2019

Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council[1], lays down indeed that the trachea and oesophagus must remain intact during bleeding, except in the case of slaughter according to a religious custom.

For those cases, Annex III point 3.2 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009[2] lays down that in case of such religious slaughter, the two carotid arteries, or the vessels from which they arise, must be systematically severed.

The exemption from the requirement that trachea and esophagus must remain intact during bleeding was granted to respect the freedom of religion. It is however limited to specific cases of animals subject to particular methods of slaughter prescribed by religious rites and subject to the requirements in Article 4(4) of Regulation 1099/2009.

• [1] Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin (OJ L 139, 30.4.2004, p. 55)
• [2] Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 of 24 September 2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing (OJ L 303, 18.11.2009, p. 1).