The use of electric livestock prods always causes a pain and stress reaction in the animal, even if applied in accordance with the specific requirements of the regulations. Staff working at livestock transporters and slaughterhouse staff often see the use of electric shocks as a useful tool that leads to quick results. Whilst practice shows that the use of alternative, less aversive methods leads to equally good, or even better results, as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) also describes and advises in its study ‘Welfare of pigs at slaughter’ from 2020.

The newly proposed Article 1.3(i)(4) and (5) of the Animal Keepers Decree (see Article I(B) of the amending Regulation) may contain technical requirements (an exception to the ban on the use of electric livestock cattle prods for milking robots, and GPS collars meeting certain conditions). A mutual recognition clause is included in the amending Regulation for such milking robots and GPS collars