Section 285.146.1. Humane slaughter methods.

(1) For the purpose of this rule the following      terms      shall     be construed, respectively, to mean:

(a)  "The act." Act No. 163 of the Public Acts of 1962.

(b)   "Director." The director of the Michigan department of agriculture.

(c)   "Division." Livestock   disease  control  division    of    the    Michigan department of agriculture.

(d)  "Inspectors." Inspectors of the division.

(e)   "Carbon dioxide." A gaseous form of the chemical formula CO2.

(f)   "Carbon dioxide concentration." Ratio  of   carbon    dioxide    gas    and atmospheric air.

(g)   "Exposure time." The period of time  an  animal  is      exposed      to    an anesthesia- producing carbon dioxide concentration.

(h)   "Anesthesia." Loss of sensation or feeling.

(i)   "Surgical  anesthesia."  A   state  of   unconsciousness   measured    in conformity with accepted surgical practices.

(j)   "Consciousness." Responsiveness of the brain to the impressions made by the senses.

(k)   "Captive bolt." A stunning instrument which when  activated  drives    a bolt out of a barrel for a limited distance.

(2)   No person engaged in, or in charge of, slaughter or preparation of animals for slaughter shall obstruct, hinder, or interfere with the director of agriculture or his authorized representatives in performing such inspections as  the  director  of agriculture  or   his    authorized representatives shall deem to be necessary to determine if humane methods of slaughtering and preparation for slaughter are being practiced in any meat  processing   establishment,  slaughterhouse   or   stock    yard.   Such inspection may be performed without prior notice to the operator or owner of the establishment.

(3)   Designation of methods:

(a)   Chemical: Carbon dioxide. The slaughtering of sheep and swine with the use of carbon dioxide gas and the handling in connection therewith, in compliance with the provisions contained in this subrule, are hereby designated and approved as humane methods of slaughtering  and handling such animals under the act. The carbon dioxide gas shall be administered in a chamber in accordance with this subrule so as to produce surgical anesthesia in the animals before they are shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animals shall be exposed to the carbon dioxide gas  in  a   way  that will

accomplish the  anesthesia   quickly  and  calmly,  with  a   minimum    of excitement and discomfort to the animals.

(b)   Mechanical:

(i)   Captive bolt. The slaughtering of sheep, swine, goats,  calves, cattle, horses, and mules by using captive bolt stunners and the handling in connection therewith, in compliance with the provisions contained in this subrule, are hereby designated and approved  as  humane  methods   of slaughtering and handling of such animals under the act. The captive bolt stunners shall be applied to the livestock in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animals  before  they are shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animals shall be stunned in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort.  Immediately  after  the  stunning   blow    is delivered, the animals shall be in a state of complete unconsciousness and remain in this  condition  throughout shackling, sticking, and bleeding.

(ii)    Gunshot. The slaughtering of cattle, calves, sheep, swine, goats, horses, and mules by shooting with firearm is hereby  designated  and approved as humane method of slaughter. The firearm shall be employed in the delivery of a bullet or a projectile from a barrel containing rifling into the animal so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animal by a single shot before it is shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The caliber and choice of firearm shall be such as to render the animal unconscious with a single shot, but caliber shall not exceed .25  caliber.

(c)   Electrical. Stunning with electric current. The  slaughtering   of swine, sheep, calves, and cattle with the use of electric current and the handling in connection therewith, in compliance with the provisions contained in this subrule, are hereby designated and approved as humane methods of slaughtering and handling of such animals under the act.

(i)   The electric current shall be administered so as to produce surgical anesthesia in the animals before they are shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animals shall be exposed to the electric current in away that will accomplish the anesthesia quickly and calmly,   with   a   minimum   of excitement and discomfort to the animals.

(ii)   Each animal shall be given a sufficient application of electric current to insure unconsciousness immediately and  through  the   bleeding operation.

History: 1979 AC.