§ 1902. — Humane methods.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 7USC1902]
TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
CHAPTER 48--HUMANE METHODS OF LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTER
Sec. 1902. Humane methods
No method of slaughtering or handling in connection with
slaughtering shall be deemed to comply with the public policy of the
United States unless it is humane. Either of the following two methods
of slaughtering and handling are hereby found to be humane:
(a) in the case of cattle, calves, horses, mules, sheep, swine,
and other livestock, all animals are rendered insensible to pain by
a single blow or gunshot or an electrical, chemical or other means
that is rapid and effective, before being shackled, hoisted, thrown,
cast, or cut; or
(b) by slaughtering in accordance with the ritual requirements
of the Jewish faith or any other religious faith that prescribes a
method of slaughter whereby the animal suffers loss of consciousness
by anemia of the brain caused by the simultaneous and instantaneous
severance of the carotid arteries with a sharp instrument and
handling in connection with such slaughtering.
(Pub. L. 85-765, Sec. 2, Aug. 27, 1958, 72 Stat. 862; Pub. L. 95-445,
Sec. 5(a), Oct. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 1069.)
Amendments
1978--Par. (b). Pub. L. 95-445 inserted ``and handling in connection
with such slaughtering'' at end.
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 95-445 effective one year after Oct. 10, 1978,
and nonapplicability during not to exceed additional 18 months in
hardship cases, see sec. 7 of Pub. L. 95-445 set out as a note under
section 603 of Title 21, Food and Drugs.
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in section 1906 of this title.
