Another Web page (in French) about slaughtering of large bovines in organic agriculture: http://www.biosegur.com/cdc_ab_bovins.htm#_Toc432865302 1. General philosophy The cattle breeder takes on full responsibility by taking scrupulous care of the animals during the last phase of their life. He makes sure that the animals' bodies are perfectly clean before leaving for the slaughterhouse. 2. Transportation Since the cattle breeder and the animals are familiar with each other, in order to reduce stress it is recommended that he comes with the animals to the slaughterhouse. Whatever the situation, the person in charge of transportation takes special care that the following rules are respected: * Transportation time and distance are limited: in particular, the cattle breeder will choose the closest slaughterhouses, and transportation is done without stops. * Loading and unloading is done without brutality: striking animals with a stick or using goads (even electrical), etc. are prohibited. * Recommendations concerning vehicles occupancy should be followed in order to avoid overcrowding. * Appropriate steps are taken so that animals are not exposed to extreme temperatures nor to sudden variations of temperatures. * Animals must be given water when leaving the vehicle. 3. Waiting period Very short waiting periods are preferable. If slaughtering cannot be done the same day, it is recommended to feed the animals. 4. Slaughtering Bringing animals to the place where they await for slaughtering is done by taking all necessary precautions, firmly but without brutality. The cattle breeder makes sure to obtain a plan from the slaughterer so that animals follow a "deaf and blind" circuit, so that they can't hear screams nor see or smell blood. Non-respect of these rules, in particular in regard to acts of brutality, may lead to downgrading of carcasses [i.e. meat won't be sold under the label "organic"]. --Jean-Louis Tu <[log in to unmask]>