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1904] 218
have recently presented a very valuable report, in which they make the
following recommendations
General Recommendations.
6. As a result of the foregoing inquiries and investigations, the Committee
are of opinion that the methods of slaughtering existing in this
country are capable of considerable improvement, and they have
come to the following general conclusions :—
(a) All animals without exception should be stunned, or otherwise
rendered unconscious, before blood is drawn. This is actually
the law in Denmark, many parts of Germany, and Switzerland,
and, therefore, cannot be considered an impracticable condition.
It has the great merit of comprehensiveness and simplicity, and
if carried out, makes the subsequent operations of slaughter of
comparative unimportance from the standpoint of humanity.
The detailed methods proposed to carry out this primary condition
in the case of the various animals will be referred to
subsequently. (See paragraph io).
(b) In the interests not only of humanity, but of sanitation, order,
and ultimate economy, it is highly desirable that, where circumstances
permit, private slaughter-houses should be replaced by
public abattoirs, and that no killing should be permitted, except
in the latter, under official supervision. Such a change as this
could only be brought about gradually and by legislation, but it
cannot be described as impracticable, in view of the fact that this
system is prescribed by law in several continental countries, and
is actually enforced in the City of Edinburgh.
(c) There should be an efficient system of inspection and supervision
of all slaughter-houses, whether public or private, by the local
authority, and uniformity in methods of slaughter should be
introduced and enforced as far as possible.
(d) All slaughtermen, and others employed in or about slaughter
houses, should be licensed by the local authority. The Committee
have carefully considered the question as to whether the
license should partake of the nature of a certificate of proficiency,