Document type: news article published by theEURCAW Ruminants & Equines
Author: Leysi Rubio Arevich
Excerpt in French (translation): The EU authorizes new methods for stunning animals before slaughter
The European Commission has authorized two new methods for stunning animals prior to slaughter. The European Commission has amended Annex I to Regulation (EC) No. 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing by adopting Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1734. These new rules authorize the use of the non-penetrating captive-bolt stun method for additional categories of animals and authorize stunning with rapidly expanding nitrogen foam, which uses a nitrogen-filled foam to induce loss of consciousness. These amendments update Annex I to reflect these approved methods and to define their specific technical requirements and operating conditions.
(8) Stunning using a non-penetrating captive-bolt pistol is already listed in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No. 1099/2009 for use on ruminants weighing up to 10 kg, as a single stunning method. Based on the information provided in the opinion concerning sheep and goats, and in order to ensure legal certainty, Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 should be amended to authorize its use as a slaughter method for lambs and kids weighing up to 4.5 kg live weight, and to establish specific requirements for the use of this method with respect to piglets, lambs, and kids.
The regulation was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on July 17, 2026. View the full document here.
Excerpt in English (original):
The European Commission has authorised two new animal stunning methods prior to slaughter. The EC has amended Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing, adopting Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1734. These new rules permit the use of the non-penetrative captive bolt stunning method for additional animal categories and authorise high-expansion nitrogen foam stunning, which uses nitrogen-filled foam to induce unconsciousness. The amendments update Annex I to reflect these approved methods and outline their specific technical requirements and operational conditions.
(8) Non-penetrative captive bolt is already listed in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 for use in ruminants up to 10 kg, as simple stunning method. Based on the evidence provided in the Opinion on sheep and goats, and to ensure legal certainty, it is appropriate to amend Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 to allow its use as killing method for lambs and goat kids up to 4,5 kg of live weight and to lay down the specific requirements for the use of that method as regards piglets, lambs and kid goats.
The Regulation was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 17 July 2026. Read the full document here.
