Article 44 Measures in cases of non-compliance with requirements for animal welfare

In cases of non-compliance with the rules concerning the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing laid down in Articles 3 to 9 and Articles 14 to 17, 19 and 22 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009, the official veterinarian shall verify that the food business operator immediately takes the necessary corrective measures and prevents recurrence.

The official veterinarian shall take a proportionate and stepped approach to enforcement action, ranging from issuing directions to slowing down and stopping production, depending on the nature and gravity of the problem.

Where appropriate, the official veterinarian shall inform other competent authorities of welfare problems.

Where the official veterinarian discovers non-compliance with the rules concerning the protection of animals during transport laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1/2005, he/she shall take the requisite measures in accordance with the relevant F1legislation in force in the relevant constituent territory of Great Britain.

Where an official auxiliary carries out checks on animal welfare and those checks identify non-compliance with the rules on the protection of animals, he/she shall immediately inform the official veterinarian. If necessary in urgent cases, he/she shall take the necessary measures referred to in paragraphs 1 to 4 pending the arrival of the official veterinarian.