Castle Farm
Member
Reply to my letter requesting a ban of non stun religious slaughter -
Thank you for your email of 19 September to the Secretary of State and Minister of State Eustice about religious slaughter. I have been asked to reply.
The Government encourages the highest standards of welfare at slaughter, would prefer all animals to be stunned before slaughter, and also respects the rights of Jews and Muslims to eat meat prepared in accordance with their religious beliefs.
The European Council Regulation 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing sets out the main requirements for slaughter, including religious slaughter. The Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015 enforce the EU requirements and contain stricter national rules that apply when animals are slaughtered by either the Jewish or Muslim method.
Animal welfare is monitored and enforced in all approved slaughterhouses by Official Veterinarians of the Food Standards Agency. They check that all animal welfare requirements are met to ensure that animals are spared avoidable pain, distress or suffering.
There are no European or domestic regulations that require the labelling of Halal or Kosher meat, but where any information is provided it must be accurate. The Government expects industry to provide consumers with the necessary information for them to make an informed choice about their food.
The Government's position on religious slaughter has not changed, nor will we be seeking to change it in future.
Yours sincerely
Anthony Davis
Thank you for your email of 19 September to the Secretary of State and Minister of State Eustice about religious slaughter. I have been asked to reply.
The Government encourages the highest standards of welfare at slaughter, would prefer all animals to be stunned before slaughter, and also respects the rights of Jews and Muslims to eat meat prepared in accordance with their religious beliefs.
The European Council Regulation 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing sets out the main requirements for slaughter, including religious slaughter. The Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015 enforce the EU requirements and contain stricter national rules that apply when animals are slaughtered by either the Jewish or Muslim method.
Animal welfare is monitored and enforced in all approved slaughterhouses by Official Veterinarians of the Food Standards Agency. They check that all animal welfare requirements are met to ensure that animals are spared avoidable pain, distress or suffering.
There are no European or domestic regulations that require the labelling of Halal or Kosher meat, but where any information is provided it must be accurate. The Government expects industry to provide consumers with the necessary information for them to make an informed choice about their food.
The Government's position on religious slaughter has not changed, nor will we be seeking to change it in future.
Yours sincerely
Anthony Davis
