The Saeima has adopted and the President promulgated the following laws: The European Convention for the protection of animals for slaughter article 1. 10 May 1979 to the European Convention for the protection of animals for slaughter (hereafter-the Convention) this law is accepted and approved. 2. article. Fulfilment of the obligations provided for in the Convention are coordinated by the Ministry of agriculture. 3. article. The Convention shall enter into force on the 20th for the period specified in article and in order, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify the newspaper "journal". 4. article. The law shall enter into force on the day following its promulgation. With the law put the Convention in English and its translation into Latvian language. The law adopted by the Parliament in the 2007 on November 15. President Zatlers in Riga, v. 5, 2007 December EUROPEAN CONVENTION FOR the PROTECTION OF animals FOR SLAUGHTER Strasbourg, 10 v. 1979 the member States of the Council of Europe, signatory of the heret, Considering that it is desirabl to ensur the protection of animals which are to be slaughtered; Considering that slaughter methods which as far as possible spare animals suffering and pain should be uniformly applied in their countries; Considering that fear, distress, suffering and pain inflicted on an animal during slaughter may affec the the quality of the meat, have agreed as follows: Chapter 1 – General principles article 1 1. This Convention shall apply to the movement, lairaging, forthcoming, and slaughter of domestic soliped stunning, ruminant, pig, rabbit and poultry. 2. For the purpose of this Convention:-shall mean Slaught rhous: any health control, intended for under the premise for the professional slaughter of animals to produce meat for consumption or for any other reason; Moving animals: shall mean unloading or driving them from unloading platforms or from stalls or Penn at the premise the slaughterhous or place where they are to be slaughtered; Lairaging: shall mean keeping animals in stalls, pen or covered area at the in order to give slaughterhous them the cessary attention (water, fodder, rest) before they are the slaugh tered; Forthcoming: shall mean the application to an animal of any procedure in conformity with the provision of this Convention designed to restrict the movement of it in order to facilitat-stunning or slaughter; Stunning: shall mean any process in conformity with the provision of this Convention, which when applied to an animal induced a State of insensibility which lasts until it is dead, the sparing it in any event of any avoidabl is suffering; Ter: shall mean Slaugh causing the death of an animal after stunning and bleeding forthcoming, with the exception provided for in Chapter III of this Convention. Article 2 1. Each Contracting Party shall take the steps to ensur cessary not the implementation of the provision of this Convention. 2. Nothing in this Convention shall, however, prevent contract ing parties from adopting more rules to protect the stringen animals. 3. Each Contracting Party shall ensur that the design, construc tion and facilities of their operations shall be slaughterhous and such as to ensur that the appropriate conditions provided for in this Convention are complied with in order to spare animals any avoidabl of excitement, pain or suffering. 4. For slaughtering outside or inside of each contract ing Party slaughterhous shall ensur that the animals are spared any pain or suffering avoidabl. Chapter II-Delivery of animals and their lairaging until the slaughterhous ut300r2u slaughtered article 3 1 shall be unloaded as animals. soon as possible. While waiting in the means of transport they shall be protected from extremes of weather and provided with the adequat ventilation. 2. The personnel responsible for moving and lairaging such animals shall have the knowledge and skills required and shall comply with the requirements set out in this Convention. Section I-the moving of animals within the precinct of slaughter houses article 4 1. The animals shall be unloaded and moved with care. 2. the Suitabl equipment such as bridges, ramps, or gangway, shall be used for unloading animals. The equipment shall be constructed with flooring which will permit a proper foothold and, if not, shall be provided with lateral cessary protection. Bridges, ramps and a gangway shall have the minimum possible incline. 3. The animals shall not be frightened or excited. In any event must be taken care to ensur that animals are not overturned on bridges, ramps or gangway and that they cannot fall from them. In particular animals shall not be lifted by the head, feet or tail in a manner which will cause them pain or suffering. 4. When no animals shall be led cessary, individually. A Corridor along which they are moved must be so designed that they cannot of themselves injuries. Article 5 1. When animals are moved their tendency to shall be the ous gregar exploited. The instrument shall be used solely to guide them and must only be used for short periods. In particular, they shall not be struck on, nor shall pressure be applied to, any PSSA as of the body. Electric shock may be used for bovine TB in animals and pigs only, provided that the shock of the last of more than two seconds, with the spaced out of adequat ly and the animals have room to move; such shock will be applied only to IR appropriate muscle. 2. the animals shall not be crushed by ' tail, twisted or broken and their eyes shall not be grasped. Blow and kicks shall not be inflicted 3. Cage, or crate of baskets in which animals are transported shall be handled with care. They shall not be Throwns to the ground or knocked over. 4. Animals delivered in cages, baskets or the crate with flexible or perforated bottom for IR be unloaded with particular care in order to avoid injuring the animals ' extremit. Where appropriate they shall be unloaded individually. Article 6 1 shall not be taken. Animals to the place of slaughter unless they can be slaughtered immediately in. 2. Animals which are not slaughtered immediately on arrival shall be lairaged. Section II-article 7 1. Lairaging animals shall be protected from climatic conditions of unfavourabl. Shall be equipped with (a) the Slaughterhous sufficient number of stalls and Pena for lairaging of the animals with protect tion from the effects of adverse weather. 2. The floor of areas where animals are unloaded, moved, kep or OK waiting based, shall not be slippery. It shall be such that it can be cleaned, disinfected and thoroughly drained of liquid. 3. shall have covered the Slaughterhous areas with feeding and drinking through and arrangements for tying up animals. 4. Animals which must spend the night at the Office shall be so housed on slaughterhous and, when appropriate, tied up in such a way that they may lie down. 5. the animals naturally hostil to each other on account of their species, sex, age or origin shall be separated from each other. 6. Animals which have been transported in cages, baskets or crate shall be slaughtered as soon as the possible; otherwise they shall be watered and fed in accordanc with the provision of article 8.7. If animals have been subjected to high temperature in humid weather, they shall be cooled. 8. Where climatic conditions make it not cessary (e.g. high humidity, low temperature), animals shall be placed in a well-ventilated ted accommodation. During foddering the stalls shall be adequately lit. Section III-care article 8 1. Unless a ut300r2u conducted as soon as possible to the place of slaughter, animals shall be offered water on arrival in the slaugh terhous. 2. With the exception of animals to be slaugh-tered within twelve hours of their arrival, they shall subsequently be given quanta Court gusty of food and water at appropriate intervals. 3. Where animals are not tied up, feeding shall be provided by the receptacl which will permit the animals to feed undisturbed. Article 9 1. The condition and State of health of the animals shall be inspected at least every morning and evening. 2. the Sick, weak or injured animals shall be slaughtered immediate ly. If this is not possible, they shall be separated in order to be slaughtered as soon as possible. Section IV-Other provision of article 10 In respect of each Contracting Party may authoris reindeer, the derogations from the provision of Chapter II of this Convention. Article 11 Each Contracting Party may prescrib that the provision of Chapter II of this Convention shall be applied mutatis mutandis to moving and lairaging of animals outside slaughterhous. Chapter III-Slaughtering article 12 animals shall be restrained where not immediately before slaughtering cessary and, with the exception set out in article 17, shall be stunned by an appropriate method. Article 13 In the case of the ritual slaughter of animals of the bovine TB, they shall be spec restrained before slaughter by mechanical means designed to zap them all suffer ing, avoidabl pain, the injury or contusions marcatmm, tion. Article 14 of the means of causing suffering shall the forthcoming avoidabl be used; animals ' hind legs shall not be tied nor shall they be suspended before stunning or, in the case of ritual slaughter, before the end of the bleeding. Poultry and rabbit for may, however, be suspended for slaughtering provided that stunning takes place directly after suspension. Article 15 Other slaughter operations than those mentioned in article 1, paragraph 2 may only after the commenc animal's death. Article 16 1. The stunning methods authorised by each contract ing Party shall bring animals into a State of insensibility which lasts until ut300r2u slaughtered, the sparing of them in any event all avoidabl clash. 2. the use of the puntill, hammer or pole-axe shall be prohibited. 3. In the case of soliped, ruminant and pig, only the following stunning methods shall be permited:-mechanical means employing instruments which administer a blow or at the level of penetrat of the brain; -electro-narcos; -gas anaesthesi. 4. Each Contracting Party may of derogations from the authoris provision of paragraphs 2 and 3 of this article in the case of the slaughter of an animal at the place where it was reared by the producer for his personal consump tion. Article 17 1. Each Contracting Party may authoris-from the provision for derogations concerning prior stunning in the following cases:-slaughtering in accordanc with religious ritual; -emergency slaughtering when stunning is not possible; -slaughtering of poultry and rabbit by the authorised methods causing instantaneous death; -killing of animals for the purpose of health control where special reasons make this not cessary. 2. Each Contracting Party availing itself of the provision of paragraph 1 of this article shall, however, ensur that at the time of such slaughter or killing the animals are spared any pain or suffering avoidabl. Article 18 1. Each Contracting Party shall make certain of the skill of the person who engaged in the profession of ally the stunning and slaughter of forthcoming, animals. 2. Each Contracting Party shall ensur that the instrument, apparatus or installation are not forthcoming and cessary for the stunning of animals comply with the requirements of the Convention. Article 19 Each Contracting Party permitting slaughter in accordanc with religious ritual shall ensur that when it does not itself issue the cessary, that authorisation by the sacrificer duly an animal by the religious bodies concerned. Chapter IV-Final provision article 20 1 shall be. this Convention open to signature by the member States of the Council of Europe and by the European Economic Community. It shall be subject to ratification, acceptance or approval of the tion. The instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. 2. This Convention shall enter into force six months after the date of the deposit of the fourth instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval by a member State of the Council of Europe. 3. In respect of a signatory party ratifying, accepting or approving after the date referred to in paragraph 2 of this article, the Convention shall come into force six months after the date of the deposit of its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval. Article 21 1. After the entry into force of this Convention, the Committee of Minister of the Council of Europe may, upon such terms and in tion as Conde it is appropriate, deemas invite any non-member State to accede theret. 2. Such accession shall be effected by depositing with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe an instrument of accession which shall take effect six months after the date of its deposit. Article 22 1. Any State may, at the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval of the tion or accession, specify the territory or territories to which this Convention shall apply. 2. Any State may, when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval of the tion or accession or at any later date, declare by the Secretary General addressed to the tion of the Council of Europe, extend this Convention to any other territory or territories specified in the declaration and for whose international relations it is response to bl or on whose behalf it is authorised to give undertaking. 3. Any declaration made in pursuanc of the preceding paragraph may, in respect of any territory mentioned in such declaration, be withdrawn by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General. Such withdrawals shall take effect six months after the date of receipt by the Secretary General of such notification. Article 23 1 Any Contracting Party may, in. so far as it is concerned, denounc this Convention by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. 2. Such denunciation shall take effect six months after the date of receipt by the Secretary General of such notification. Article 24 the Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall notify the member States of the Council and any Contracting Party not a member of the Council of: a any signature;) b any deposit of an instrument) of the ratification, acceptance, approval or tion accession; (c) any date of entry) into force of this Convention in accor dance with articles 20 and 21 thereof; (d) any declaration received in pursuanc) of the provision of article 22, paragraph 2; (e) notifications received in pursuanc) any of the provision of article 22, paragraph 3; (f) notifications received in pursuanc) any of the provision of article 23 and the date on which denunciation takes effect. In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorised, have signed theret this Convention. Done at Strasbo-rg, this 10th day of May 1979, in English and in French, both texts being equally authoritativ, in a single copy which shall remain deposited in the archives of the Council of Europe. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall transmit certified cop to it each of the signatory and acceding parties.

European Convention for the protection of animals for slaughter Strasbourg, 10 May 1979 Convention signed in Member States of the Council of Europe, considering that it is desirable to protect the slaughter animals, believing that all the Member States, the fighting animals, should be applied such methods as far as possible without causing pain and suffering to animals, considering that at the time of slaughter animals would cause fear, distress, suffering and pain can affect the quality of the meat, have agreed on the following : Chapter I General provisions article 1 1. This Convention applies to domestic solipeds, ruminants, pigs, rabbits and poultry movement, lairaging, restraint, stunning the farming and slaughter. 2. for the purposes of this Convention: slaughterhouse means any veterinary control exposed spaces designed for the professional slaughter of animals for consumption or for any other purpose intended for meat production; the movement of animals means unloading of animals or the healing of the bays of the slaughterhouse, housing or pens on the premises or place where they are slaughtered; ante-mortem inspection within the meaning of keeping animals in the holding yards, pens or other cover places slaughterhouses to them before slaughter devoted the necessary attention (water, fodder, rest); limiting animal movements means limiting the application of the procedure in accordance with this Convention, in order to facilitate stunning or slaughter; stunning means any provisions of this Convention, appropriate application process which causes the animal's sensitivity, which lasts until death, thus sparing the animals unnecessary suffering; the meaning of animal slaughter, death evocation by limitation, stunning and bleeding, except those provided for in chapter III of the Convention exceptions. 2. in article 1, each Party shall take the necessary measures to ensure the implementation of this Convention. 2. However, none of the provisions of this Convention shall not prevent the parties to the Convention to adopt more stringent provisions for the protection of animals. 3. each Party shall ensure that the design of slaughterhouses, construction, equipment and operation, which comply with the conditions laid down in this Convention, with a view to not cause the animal excitement, pain or suffering, from which can be avoided. 4. Battle of the animals in the slaughterhouse or outside a slaughterhouse, each party to the Convention shall provide the animals against unnecessary pain or suffering. Chapter II transfer of Animals in slaughterhouses and lairage keeping article 3 1. animals are shipped as soon as possible. Waiting for a vehicle, they are protected against inclement weather conditions and adequate ventilation is provided. 2. For such movements and ante-mortem staff are responsible for keeping the necessary knowledge and skills, and that comply with the requirements of this Convention. Title I the movement of animals within the territory of the slaughterhouse, article 4 1. Animals are unloaded and moved carefully. 2. animals are used in the unloading of suitable facilities such as bridges, ramps or walkways. The machine is equipped with a floor that provides necessary support point of the foot and, if necessary, with the sides. Bridges, ramps and walkways is the minimum possible incline. 3. Animals are not afraid or worried. Ensure that on bridges, ramps or walkways animals are not overturned and fall to them. In particular the unacceptable lifting of animals behind the head, feet or tail in a way that may cause them pain or suffering. 4. If necessary, animals are transported one by one. Corridors through which animals are moved, is arranged so that the animals could not hurt themselves. 5. Article 1. Moving the animals use their herd instincts. Tools used for guiding animals and only a short period of time. In particular, the animals are not being beaten, as well as the pressure is not on any particularly sensitive part of the body. Electric shock can use only cow species and pigs provided the shock is longer than two seconds that the Taser device have been properly placed and the animals have enough space for movements; this shock is applied only to the muscles. 2. animal tail not compressed, not cut or without breaking and not their eyes. Animals do not sit and kick. 3. the cages, baskets or crates in which animals are transported, handled with care. They are not thrown to the ground or overturned. 4. Animals delivered in cages, baskets or crates with flexible or perforated floors, landed with particular care to avoid injury to the animal limb. If necessary, it will be unloaded individually. 6. Article 1. animals leading to the place of slaughter unless they are not intended for slaughter without delay. 2. Animals not slaughtered immediately on arrival to ensure the holding of the ante-mortem inspection. Section II lairaging holding article 7 1. Animals are protected from adverse weather conditions. Slaughterhouses are mounted in the housing and sufficient number of pens where animals may be kept before slaughter, to protect it from bad weather conditions. 2. The floor is not slippery in places where animals are unloaded, moved, kept waiting or temporarily deployed. They are easy to clean, disinfect and thoroughly nosusinām. 3. A slaughterhouse is covered areas equipped with drinking and feeding trough and equipment for tethering animals. 4. Animals which must spend the night in the slaughterhouse, are housed and, where necessary, secured so that they would be able to lie down. 5. the animals, which are usually hostile to one another species, sex, age or origin, are separated from one another. 6. the animals are transported in cages, baskets or crates are slaughtered as soon as possible; otherwise they will be watered and fed in accordance with the provisions of article 8. 7. If the animals are wet during have been exposed to high temperatures, they have to be cooled. 8. If this is necessary due to climatic conditions (e.g. high humidity, low temperatures), the animal is placed in a well ventilated home. Accommodation in feeding time is inadequately lit. Section III care article 8 1. In the case of arrival at the slaughterhouse is not being delivered as quickly as possible to slaughter, they are watered. 2. at the appropriate intervals the animals are given moderate amounts of food and water, except for animals which are to be slaughtered within 12 hours of arrival at the slaughterhouse. 3. If the animals are not tied, feed bowls are those that allow the animals to feed undisturbed. 9. Article 1 of the health situation and the animal is inspected at least every morning and evening. 2. the sick, weak or injured animals are slaughtered immediately. If this is not possible, they are separated from the rest, to be slaughtered as soon as possible. Title IV General provisions article 10 with regard to reindeer each party may establish exceptions in chapter II of the Convention. Article 11 each party may provide that the provisions of chapter II of this Convention shall apply mutatis mutandis to the keeping of animals the lairage and movement outside the slaughterhouse. Chapter III, article 12 of the Slaughter if necessary, just before slaughter animals is limited and is stunned by the appropriate method, and in the light of article 17, under certain exceptions. Article 13 cow ritual slaughter of animals, they are limited before slaughter with such mechanical devices which, by their design, do not allow cause unnecessary pain, suffering, agitation, injury or contusions. Article 14 is used to causing unnecessary suffering to restriction; the animal's hind legs are tied and it is not behind the hind legs hung before stunning, but the ritual slaughter, before the end of the noasiņošan. Poultry and rabbits but can hang with that stunning is performed immediately after the hanging. Article 15 other slaughter operations, with the exception of article 1, paragraph 2, can only begin after the death of the animal. 16. Article 1 of the Convention, each party's authorized methods of stunning an animal causes unconscious state that lasts until the slaughter, thus sparing them any unnecessary suffering. 2. it is prohibited to use a knife, hammer or cattle slaughter axe. 3. in the case of solipeds, ruminants and pigs, only the following stunning methods:-mechanical tools-tools which cause a blow or penetrate at the level of the brain in animals; -elektronarkoz; -gas anesthesia. 4. each Contracting Party may determine the points 2 and 3 of the animal's slaughter of exceptions where it is reared by the owner for their own consumption. 17. Article 1 of the Convention, each party may determine exceptions to the provisions concerning prior stunning in the following cases:-slaughtering in accordance with religious rites; -in case of emergency slaughtering when stunning is not possible; -the slaughter of poultry and rabbits by authorised methods causing instantaneous death; -killing of health control purposes if needed for a particular reason. 2. each party, through this article, however ensure that such slaughter or killing of animals is caused during unnecessary pain or suffering. 18. Article 1 of the Convention, each Party shall ensure that the persons skill is professionally involved in the containment of animals, stunning and slaughter. 2. each Party shall ensure that for the control of animals and stunning the necessary instruments, apparatus or equipment complies with the requirements of this Convention. Article 19 If each party to the Convention, allowing slaughter according to religious rites, the same does not issue the required permissions, then the proper powers of animal upurētāj the appropriate religious authorities. Chapter IV final provisions article 20 1. this Convention is open for signature by the Member States of the Council of Europe and the European economic community. It is subject to ratification, acceptance or approval. Instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval are submitted for storage to the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe. 2. this Convention shall enter into force six months after the date on which the fourth Member State of the Council of Europe submitted its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval. 3. as the signatory of the Convention country which ratifies, accepts or approves the Convention after the date referred to in paragraph 2, the Convention shall enter into force six months after the deposit of instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval date of the document. 21. Article 1. After the entry into force of this Convention, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe may invite any outside the existing State of the Council to accede to the Convention upon such terms and conditions as it deems necessary. 2. Such accession may be submitted to the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe an instrument of accession which shall take effect six months after filing. 22. Article 1 each at the time of signature or ratification, acceptance or approval, specify the territory or territories to which the Convention applies. 2. each country ratification, acceptance, approval or accession or subsequently sending notice to the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, extend the application of this Convention to any other territory specified in the notice, for which the international relations of the party are responsible or authorized to enter into commitments on its behalf. 3. Any appropriate advance to the point of notification, provided in respect of any territory specified in such notification may be withdrawn by a notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. The withdrawal shall take effect six months after the date on which the Secretary-General receives such notification. 23. Article 1 of the Convention, any party may, in so far as it concerns them, denounce this Convention by notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. 2. Such denunciation shall take effect six months after the date on which the Secretary-General receives such notification. Article 24 the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe and the Council of Europe shall notify the Member States of the European Community and all the parties to the Convention that are not members of the Council, on: (a) each signature); b) each instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval; c) any date of entry into force of the Convention in accordance with its article 20 and 21; (d)), who received any communication under article 22, paragraph 2; e) any notification that is received pursuant to article 22, paragraph 3; f) any notification that is received pursuant to the provisions of article 23 and the date on which the denunciation takes effect. As the Government authorized, we, the undersigned, certify the correctness of this Convention. Strasbourg, 10 May 1979, in English and French, both texts being equally authentic, in a single copy, which is deposited in the archives of the Council of Europe. The Secretary-General of the Council of Europe shall transmit certified copies to each of the conventions of the Council of Europe and Member States of the European Community to accede to this Convention and all the invited countries.