Horses at livestock slaughter facilities code

The code of practice for horses at livestock slaughter facilities is a mandatory code of practice under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 (the Act).

It sets appropriate standards for the welfare and humane treatment of horses and other equids, such as donkeys and other hybrids. The code also ensures people who handle, care for and slaughter horses at livestock slaughter facilities are aware of their animal welfare responsibilities and obligations.

This code was developed under the guidance of an expert panel.

Adoption of the code completes recommendation 10.2.1 from the Martin Inquiry report.

Key mandatory requirements

These are the key mandatory requirements. However, you must refer to the code of practice for horses at livestock slaughter facilities for the full list of requirements.

Owners of livestock slaughter facilities

The owner of a livestock slaughter facility must:

  • take reasonable measures to minimise the risks to the welfare of a horse at the facility, including minimising the time that a horse is held in a lairage (a pen or yard for holding a horse before it is slaughtered)
  • make available the equipment that is to be used at the facility for compliance with this code
  • ensure people working at the facility:
    • have the knowledge, skills and experience to perform their role
    • are aware of their responsibilities under this code of practice
  • ensure a competent person is available to perform an emergency killing of a horse at any time a horse is at the facility
  • appoint an animal welfare officer to be responsible for the welfare of the horses at the facility.

If the owner becomes aware of non-compliance with this code, the owner must, as soon as practicable after becoming aware:

  • take appropriate corrective action to fix the cause of the non-compliance
  • report non-compliance that adversely affects the welfare of a horse to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF).

Animal welfare officers at livestock slaughter facilities

Animal welfare officers must be suitably qualified. They must have completed the Animal Welfare Officer Skill Set (AMPSS00001) or an equivalent VET course.

Animal welfare officers must:

  • monitor horse welfare at the livestock slaughter facility
  • report to the facility owner any potential risks to horse welfare and non-compliance with the code.

Livestock slaughter facilities

The owner of a livestock slaughter facility must also ensure:

  • the facility has a holding area and lairage for horses, including a separate holding area for treating or performing an emergency killing of a horse that is severely distressed, sick, weak or injured
  • the facility is designed, constructed and maintained to:
    • minimise the exposure of a horse to the sight, smell or sound of another horse being killed or slaughtered
    • provides sufficient access to drinking water for each horse at the facility
  • take reasonable measures to minimise the risks to the welfare of a horse at the facility, including minimising the time that a horse is held in lairage
  • each area for slaughtering horses, fence, gate, holding area, lairage, lane, race and stunning box at the facility:
    • is designed so that a horse can be handled quietly and efficiently
    • constructed and maintained in a way that minimises the risk of injury to a horse
  • ramps used to unload horses from vehicles have a non-slip surface and an angle no greater than 20 degrees
  • if a stunning box is used to restrain horses, then the box must have the following features:
    • non-slip flooring
    • be well lit
    • sufficient space for one horse (without allowing the horse to turn around)
    • solid sides
    • equipped to prevent a horse from lowering its head
  • if an area for slaughtering horses is used, then it must have the following features:
    • non-slip flooring
    • be well lit
    • designed, constructed and maintained to prevent the horse from being distracted and from escaping.

Horse handling and management in a livestock slaughter facility

  • People working at a livestock slaughter facility must handle a horse in a way that minimises the risk of harm to the horse, including minimising the horse's distress and fear.
  • As soon as practicable after a horse arrives at a livestock slaughter facility, the horse's health and wellbeing must be assessed.
  • If a horse is assessed to be severely distressed, sick, weak or injured at any time, then the horse must be held in a separate holding area from other horses. The horse must be treated, slaughtered or emergency killed as appropriate.
  • If a horse is to be slaughtered within 24 hours after arriving at the facility, then it must be moved into lairage and have access to drinking water.
  • If a horse is not to be slaughtered within 24 hours after arriving at the facility, then it must be moved into a holding area and have access to drinking water and feed.

Risk management, compliance assessment and record keeping

The owner of a livestock slaughter facility must establish, implement and maintain:

  • a risk management system to minimise any risk to horse welfare
  • policies and procedures for:
    • the operation and maintenance of the facility
    • the management of horses in the facility
    • the handling, emergency killing or slaughter of horses
    • the management of and response to reports of adverse impacts on horse welfare at the facility
    • assessing compliance with the code
    • recording and reporting non-compliance with the code
    • recording training and performance assessment of persons working at the facility.

Other requirements

The code also covers the appropriate use of firearms and penetrating captive bolts (PCB), emergency killing, humane slaughter and exsanguination.

  • Last reviewed: 14 Feb 2024
  • Last updated: 6 Mar 2024