Which of the following is true of ritual slaughter establishments?

• A. They are exempt from most of the humane handling regulatory requirements
• B. They can never be issued NRs for inhumane handling in the course of ritual slaughter
• C. They are exempt from the regulatory requirement for stunning prior to slaughter
• D. They do not have to provide water for animals in holding pens

Answer: (C)

Ritual slaughter establishments operate under an exemption from the requirement to stun animals before slaughter due to religious practices. This exemption means stun-before-slaughter rules do not apply in the same way there, but other humane handling requirements still do. Inspectors can still issue noncompliance records for inhumane handling, and animals must be provided water and treated humanely during holding, restraining, and bleeding. The other options overstate or misstate the exemption: they are not exempt from all humane handling rules, they can receive NRs for inhumane handling, and water must be provided in holding pens.