Title 7AgricultureRelease 119-73

§1904 Methods research; designation of methods

Title 7 › Chapter CHAPTER 48— - HUMANE METHODS OF LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTER › § 1904

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary must carry out and support research and testing to find slaughter and handling methods for livestock that are practical for the speed and amount of slaughter and that are humane under current scientific knowledge. By March 1, 1959, and later whenever he thinks it is needed, the Secretary must name the acceptable methods for each species of livestock. If he thinks it will work better, he may instead name methods that do not match the stated policy. Any method named after March 1, 1959 becomes effective 180 days after it is published in the Federal Register.

Full Legal Text

Title 7, §1904

Agriculture — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

In furtherance of the policy expressed herein the Secretary is authorized and directed—
(a)to conduct, assist, and foster research, investigation, and experimentation to develop and determine methods of slaughter and the handling of livestock in connection with slaughter which are practicable with reference to the speed and scope of slaughtering operations and humane with reference to other existing methods and then current scientific knowledge; and
(b)on or before March 1, 1959, and at such times thereafter as he deems advisable, to designate methods of slaughter and of handling in connection with slaughter which, with respect to each species of livestock, conform to the policy stated in this chapter. If he deems it more effective, the Secretary may make any such designation by designating methods which are not in conformity with such policy. Designations by the Secretary subsequent to March 1, 1959, shall become effective 180 days after their publication in the Federal Register.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1978—Par. (a). Pub. L. 95–445, § 5(d), inserted “and” after the semicolon at end. Par. (b). Pub. L. 95–445, § 5(c), (e), struck out “for purposes of section 1903 of this title” before “180 days”, and substituted a period for the semicolon at end. Par. (c). Pub. L. 95–445, § 5(b), repealed par. (c).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1978 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 95–445 effective one year after Oct. 10, 1978, and nonapplicability during not to exceed additional 18 months in hardship cases, see sec. 7 of Pub. L. 95–445 set out as a note under section 603 of Title 21, Food and Drugs.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

7 U.S.C. § 1904

Title 7Agriculture

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73