CHAPTER V: POULTRY

The competent authority may decide that poultry intended for slaughter are to be submitted to ante-mortem inspection at the holding of provenance. In that case, slaughter of a flock of birds from a holding may be authorised only if: the health certificate provided for in Chapter X, Part A, accompanies them; and the requirements of paragraphs 2 to 5 are complied with. Ante-mortem inspection on the holding of provenance is to comprise: checks on records or documentation at the holding, including food chain information; a flock inspection, to determine whether the birds: have a disease or condition which may be transmitted to animals or humans through handling or eating the meat, or are behaving in a manner indicating that such a disease may occur, show disturbance of general behaviour or signs of disease which may make the meat unfit for human consumption, or show evidence that they may contain chemical residues in excess of the levels laid down in Community legislation, or residues of forbidden substances. An official veterinarian or an approved veterinarian is to carry out ante-mortem inspection at the holding. Ante-mortem inspection at the slaughterhouse need only cover: a control of the animals' identification; and a screening to ascertain whether animal welfare rules have been complied with and whether signs of any condition which might adversely affect human or animal health are present. An official auxiliary may carry out this screening. When birds are not slaughtered within three days of the issue of the health certificate referred to in paragraph l(a): if the flock has not left the holding of provenance for the slaughterhouse, it is to be re-examined and a new health certificate issued; if the flock is already en route for or at the slaughterhouse, slaughter may be authorised once the reason for the delay has been assessed, provided that the flock is re-examined. When ante-mortem inspection is not carried out at the holding, the official veterinarian is to carry out a flock inspection at the slaughterhouse. If the birds show clinical symptoms of a disease, they may not be slaughtered for human consumption. However, killing of these birds on the slaughter line may take place at the end of the normal slaughter process, if precautions are taken to avoid the risk of spreading pathogenic organisms and to clean and disinfect the facilities immediately after killing. In the case of poultry reared for the production of “foie gras” and delayed eviscerated poultry slaughtered at the holding of provenance, ante-mortem inspection is to be carried out in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3. A certificate conforming to the model set out in Part C is to accompany the uneviscerated carcasses to the slaughterhouse or cutting plant. All birds are to undergo post-mortem inspection in accordance with Sections I and III. In addition, the official veterinarian is personally to carry out the following checks: daily inspection of the viscera and body cavities of a representative sample of birds; a detailed inspection of a random sample, from each batch of birds having the same origin, of parts of birds or entire birds declared unfit for human consumption following post-mortem inspection; and any further investigations necessary when there is reason to suspect that the meat from the birds concerned could be unfit for human consumption. In the case of poultry reared for the production of “foie gras” and delayed eviscerated poultry obtained at the holding of provenance, post-mortem inspection is to include a check on the certificate accompanying the carcases. When such carcases are transported directly from the holding to a cutting plant, post-mortem inspection is to take place at the cutting plant. HEALTH CERTIFICATE for poultry intended for the production of foie gras and delayed eviscerated poultry slaughtered at the holding of provenance Competent service: ... No: ... 1. Identification of uneviscerated carcases Species: ... Number: ... 2. Provenance of uneviscerated carcases Address of holding: ... 3. Destination of uneviscerated carcases The uneviscerated carcases will be transported to the following cutting plant: ... 4. Declaration I, the undersigned, declare that: – the uneviscerated carcases described above are of birds which were examined before slaughter on the above-mentioned holding at(time) on(date) and found to be healthy; – the records and documentation concerning these animals satisfied the legal requirements and do not prohibit slaughter of the birds. Done at: ... (Place) on: ... (Date) Stamp ... (Signature of the official or approved veterinarian)

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-11-04 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.