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Printed Publications

The HSA produces a wide range of printed publications, many of which are available to download free of charge. Some of the HSA publications form part of a series.

The Guidance Notes series is aimed at managers at establishments where animals are handled, slaughtered or killed and provides detailed information on the theory and practical use of specific methods and equipment.

Publications within the Technical Notes series provide detailed information on specific technical topics. These are aimed at a variety of audiences.

These documents often refer specifically to UK/European legislation and codes of practice but the principles and techniques will often be more generally applicable.

Navigate by species to find the publications best suited to your needs.

Non-UK orders: Orders shipped outside the UK (including to EU countries), may have local VAT and/or other taxes applied on delivery, by local authorities.   As these charges are outside our control, HSA will not be responsible for the payment of any such charges.

Cattle, Sheep & Goats, and Pigs

Guidance Notes:
Captive-Bolt Stunning of Livestock
Also in Mandarin Chinese

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Humane Killing of Livestock using Firearms
Also in Mandarin Chinese

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Electrical Stunning of Red Meat Animals

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Humane Handling of Livestock
Also in Mandarin Chinese

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Technical Notes:
TN4: Safety and Maintenance of Captive-Bolt Equipment

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TN5: Safety and Maintenance of Electrical Stunning Equipment

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TN6: Safety and Maintenance of Firearms

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TN8: On-Farm Slaughter or Killing of Livestock for Consumption

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TN13: Design Specifications – Handling Facilities for Abattoirs and Farms
Also in Mandarin Chinese

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TN17: Stun-to-Stick Times (Electrical Stunning)

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TN23: Transport of Farm Animals and Horses

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Other publications relevant to cattle, sheep and goats, or pigs:
Home Slaughter of Livestock: A guide to the law in England and Wales
Food Standards Agency. September 2020

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On-Farm Humane Killing of Neonate Pigs, Goats and Sheep
HSA and University of Bristol. Updated March 2022

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Restraint of Cattle for Slaughter - FSA Technical File 115

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Captive-bolt Stunning and Signs of Unconsciousness in Adult Bovines - FSA Technical File 117

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Best Practice Guidelines for Group-Stunning Systems
Also in Mandarin Chinese

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To Market To Market – A Practical Handling Guide for Livestock Drovers

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Caring to the End – A Guide to the Humane Dispatch of Livestock for Smallholders, Hobby Farmers and Those Who Keep Farm Animals as Pets

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Prevent Slips and Falls by Managing Concrete Floors
Also in Mandarin Chinese

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Design of Facilities at Livestock Markets

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Cattle: Publications containing information specific to cattle
Technical Notes:
TN2: Humane Dispatch and Disposal of Infant Calves

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TN3: Head Restraint Equipment

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Other publications:
Cattle Handling in Abattoirs and Markets
Also in Mandarin Chinese

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Guidance for Veterinary Surgeons on the Emergency Slaughter of Cattle

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Sheep & Goats: Publications containing information specific to sheep and goats
Technical Notes:
TN7: Humane Dispatch and Disposal of Kids and Lambs

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Other publications:
The Casualty Sheep

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Pigs: Publications containing information specific to pigs 
Technical Notes:
   
Other publications:  
Improved Handling Systems for Pigs at Slaughter
Also in Mandarin Chinese

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The Casualty Pig

Produced by the Pig Veterinary Society with support and input from the HSA

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Poultry

Guidance Notes

Electrical Waterbath Stunning of Poultry

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Notes d’orientation n° 7 de la HSA: Etourdissement à bain d’eau des volailles
Translation provided courtesy Direction Générale de l’Alimentation, Service des Actions Sanitaires en Production Primaire, Sous Direction de la Santé et de la Protection Animale, Bureau de la Protection Animale, France. 

 

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家禽的电动水浴致晕法
Mandarin Chinese translation of Electrical Waterbath Stunning of Poultry

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Technical Notes:
TN9: Instantaneous Mechanical Destruction

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TN10: Electrical Waterbaths

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TN11: On-Farm Slaughter of Large Poultry Flocks

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TN12: Gas Killing of Chickens and Turkeys 

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TN14: Gas Killing of Chicks in Hatcheries 

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TN15: Poultry Catching and Handling

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TN18: On-Farm Slaughter of Poultry for Disease Control

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TN21: Transport of Poultry

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TN27: Animal Welfare Advice for Small-Scale and/or Seasonal Processors on the Electrical Stunning and Bleeding of Poultry

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Other publications relevant to poultry:
Home Slaughter of Livestock: A guide to the law in England and Wales
Food Standards Agency. September 2020

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Code of Practice for the Killing of Chicks in Hatcheries
4th Edition. HSA January 2023

 

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Fish

Guidance Notes:
Humane Harvesting of Salmon and Trout

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Technical Notes:
TN20: Electrical  Stunning of Salmon

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TN22: Transport of Farmed Fish

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TN24: Humane Harvesting of Halibut 

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Other Species

Technical Notes:
TN25: Slaughter and Killing of Minority Farmed Species

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Other publications:
Farewell - Making the Right Decision
A guide for horse owners on the humane destruction of aged or injured horses

Download PDF

 

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