Slaughter codes for halal

[J Cookson]

Would it be fair to assume that if you supply animals for RSPCA Freedom food you can be assured they will meet the best possible end?

I am still awaiting a reply from RSPCA Assured on this matter but they seem very reluctant to comment on exactly your words.
The HMC appeared to claim the RSPCA Assured Logo on Poultry menat it was all guaranteed Gas Stunned (Stun-to-Kill) but they will not confirm that info which I would take as this would not be the case and they may have been found out a not telling the truth or the HMC were lying about this to sell their own Halal Poultry. This is why it is so confusing for consumers because no-one will speak up for the industry.

 

[Sandyqqq]

I don't have a problem with Halal if pre-stunned - which I realise most are

I agree entirely about the Jewish barstewards, happy to let the Muslims take the flak when they are as bad

The halal pre stun is a recoverable stun, it last just long enough for the animal or bird to be strung up. It then regains consciousness and dies in terror and pain when its throat is cut.

 

[J Cookson]

I have just received a reply from RSPCA Assured Team regarding Poultry Stun and Slaughter methods used for products bearing the RSPCA Assured Logo in shops/supermarkets etc.
They have confirmed that Poultry certified under their scheme have been pre-Stunned (Stun-to-Kill) using CO2. This is to ensure the birds are NOT LIVE SHACKLED on the conveyor systems before the go to slaughter. This is the most humane system for Poultry. What this also means is that they cannot be considered suitable for Halal as the Bird has to remain Alive for actual Slaughter as that is a strict pre-condition therefore RSPCA Assured means non-Halal.

From: [email protected]
To: J Cookson
21 Jun at 17:05
Dear John,
Thank you for your enquiry and concern over the welfare of chickens.
Currently, I can confirm that all meat chickens under the RSPCA Assured scheme are slaughtered using gas killing systems, therefore the need to invert and shackle birds is avoided.
As mentioned in our previous response, our welfare standards for meat chickens do mention special circumstances where the shackling of conscious birds is permitted (in the case of on-farm slaughter and when the birds are not subjected to any transport, or in the event of an emergency (e.g. notifiable disease outbreak)). This is however not the case within our scheme, therefore RSPCA Assured chickens are all slaughtered using gas killing systems, as mentioned above.
I hope this information was useful, however, do not hesitate to contact us if you require further information. In addition, you can find a full version of our chicken welfare standards on our website: https://science.rspca.org.uk/sciencegroup/farmanimals/standards/chickens
Many thanks

 

[J Cookson]

For Poultry look for the RSPCA Assured Logo om the product Packaging!!

 

[Bruce Almighty]

The halal pre stun is a recoverable stun, it last just long enough for the animal or bird to be strung up. It then regains consciousness and dies in terror and pain when its throat is cut.

Thank you for that information.
Do you have evidence to back this up ?
Please see the link to Farmer's Fresh below.
I don't think what you are saying is true in this case, but it may be true at some other slaughterhouses ?

http://farmersfresh.co.uk/our-standards/

 

[J Cookson]

 

[J Cookson]

The Regulation contains a set of electrical parameters to be used with different species of poultry. These parameters set boundaries for voltage, current, and frequency, and combinations of these are used to deliver what is referred to as an effective stun. Stunning is intended to deliver one of two outcomes: stun-to-kill or recoverable stun. Religious slaughter that allows stunning uses the second, recoverable stun. Non-religious slaughter mostly uses stun-to-kill, and there are combinations of the electrical parameters that have been proven effective, through scientific study.

Working within the electrical parameters of the Regulation does not in itself guarantee an effective stun (either stun-to-kill or recoverable stun). It is skilled operatives, using good working practices and the proven combinations that will deliver an effective stun.

The exemption for slaughter by religious rites also permits slaughter of poultry with stunning using electrical parameters outside of those defined in the Regulation. Interestingly, the exemption only applies in England. Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland do not permit the use of electrical parameters outside of those defined in the Regulation.

 

[J Cookson]

Electrical parameters outside of those defined in the Regulation do not have the scientific research to support their outcome and by default must be considered an ineffective stun. It should be noted that such combinations may deliver an effective recoverable stun, but without the scientific evidence in support then regulators and veterinarians must consider it, by definition, ineffective. If such evidence were produced then their status could be reviewed.

Slaughter in England using religious rites is exempt from some of the requirements of the Regulation, including the electrical parameters. If such stunning is used it is considered a practice outside of the Regulation, but it is not illegal as such is permitted by the Regulation. If this seems unnecessarily convoluted, then it only gets worse from here.

There is a serious inconsistency with the Regulation. If a regular, non-religious, producer wanted to stun poultry using a new combination of electrical parameters, then the burden of proof would be on that producer to provide scientific evidence that what they are proposing would deliver an effective stun. An added complication is that to obtain the proof though appropriate research is classed as animal experimentation and would need a Home Office licence, which are very rarely granted.

Conversely, a producer operating under the exemption for religious rites can use any combination of electrical parameters. In this instance the burden of proof falls on the regulator (FSA and Defra) to demonstrate that the practice causes …avoidable pain, distress, or suffering… Given that modern indicators of an effective stun are neurological, and can only be measured in a laboratory environment, it is massively unfair to expect regulators and vets to be able to do this in a slaughterhouse.

Imagine being an Official Veterinarian in a slaughterhouse operating under the exemption for religious rites. You have birds electrically stunned outside of the Regulation (but that’s permitted under the exemption in England); a Food Business Operator using, in good faith, electrical parameters believing they deliver an effective stun (but without the science); birds that appear effectively stunned physiologically (but no supporting neurological data); an obligation to apply the precautionary principle if in doubt of the effectiveness of the stun (but at the risk of stopping commercial production); and no clear policy or hierarchical guidance (but a vet’s underlying duty of care for the birds). It’s an impossible task to ask of them.

 

[J Cookson]

Halal Consultations in line with majority of global halal accreditation and endorsement establishments concurs with “electric stunning” of both types; with a proviso that the bird/animal does not die prior to slaughtering. It should be used to control and for safety of both the animal and the slaughterer, since we are using mechanised plants and hanging, say, chicken upside down in parity of the speed of the conveyer line. Analogy can be given for the strength of the electric current for this approved method to, to the dimmer switch on the wall which is not only controlled , it is there to ascertain and ensure that the bird/ the animal does not succumb to it. And observation proves that

We can and should always make science and technology subservient to Islamic injunctions, ethics and ethos and never the other way round.

SOurce:
https://www.halalconsultations.com/2018/01/24/stunning/

 

[J Cookson]

MPs sitting on an influential environment committee are considering an investigation after it emerged millions of poultry are being slaughtered without an effective stun.

Around 180 million chickens and other poultry were killed last year using an electric shock vets deem insufficient to guarantee unconsciousness because of a loophole in the law, Government figures suggest.

Experts said the shocking figures called into question Britain’s claim to be a world leader in animal welfare.

Slaughterhouses can only use stunning methods exempt from EU regulations because of “religious rites”, where animals are not stunned in the usual way because of religious conventions.

 

[J Cookson]

The number of sheep slaughtered in Britain without being stunned first has doubled in the last six years to more than 11 million, official figures show (from 2018).

Former president of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, Lord Trees, pointed out this meant animals were having their throats cut while still conscious and argued the country was moving “backwards” in this area of animal welfare.

The Government has said it would prefer all animals going to slaughter to be stunned first, but there was long-standing convention to respect the rights of Jewish and Muslim communities to prepare meat in accordance with their religious beliefs.

 

[J Cookson]

Freeman’s of Newent.

Ali Bham is a Gujerati Indian Muslim who has been slaughtering for Freeman’s for the last 23 years. He tells me that Freeman’s uses low voltage, high frequency stunning prior to slaughter, each bird receives a 4.2 volt shock and then hand slaughtered. This system, he says, was specifically designed and developed for the halal market. The equipment is regularly tested to ensure that it does not induce death prior to slaughter. He told me that when they apply this stun to a chicken, after a few minutes it gets up and walks away and he has never known a chicken to have died using this method.

The reason the birds are given a low voltage stun is because they panic and flap their wings causing bruising. A bruise retains the blood and is therefore not halal. By calming the birds down with a mild stun [ from which they can get up 20seconds later ] the slaughterman can ensure that all blood is drained from the bird.

When the chickens had been stunned, we were encouraged by Ali to touch the birds and feel their heart beat. Numerous chickens were touched and all had a heart beat and felt warm.

• Some chickens were still moving/flapping wings after being stunned.
• We removed chickens at will after stunning from the line and placed them on the floor. All birds opened their eyes after 5-10 seconds. After 1 minute the birds were trying to get up. After 2 mins, birds absolutely normal and walking around.
• After being stunned, the birds are slaughtered within 10 – 15 seconds.
• Very sharp knifes are used, no distress for chickens and ?Bismillah, Allah o Akbar? read on every single bird by the slaughtermen. Who, of course, are all Muslims. There were 6 of them, interviewed one of them and he knew all the etiquettes of halal slaughter.
• After slaughter, ALL chickens were clearly bleeding (meaning still alive)
• Chickens flapping after slaughter. Once slaughtered the line takes the birds into another section of the factory. Just in the killing room, (where the slaughter takes place), the line was about 3 lines deep. Chickens as far along as the third line were still flapping after slaughter (i.e. up to 2mins after slaughter).
• Clearly all 4 veins in the neck were being cut.
• Very humane, very calm, very clean and hygienic.

Source:
http://masudblog.com/freemans-of-newent-report-on-halal-slaughter/

 

[J Cookson]

Remember ALL RECOVERABLE Stuns were created to speed up the Slaughter Lines, Stop the Animals flayling around and protect Abattoir workers. Animal Welfare was never the real consideration but is being exploited as such because it gives consumers a warm fuzzy feeling!!

And nowawdays Religion also jumped on the Bandwagon because it allowed them to circumvent WATOK through Religious Exemptions.

 

[J Cookson]

And this contributes to the problem of consumer concerns. Knowing that certain abattoirs allow Un-Stunned Slaughter to be sold to them without them knowing what is and what isn't is the problem. Especially when the Approval Code is exactly the same regardless of method of slaughter used.

Source:

https://vprf.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/non-stun-slaughter-vprf-fact-file-feb-2018.pdf

 

[J Cookson]

DEFRA have opened a can of worms by now backtracking on dealing with Religious Slaughter Labelling and it is causes a storm. Ministers promised to look at labelling of RS Meat/Poultry but used Brexit as a deflection no to do anything at this moment and now they say they are not going to consider RS labelling.

AIMS responds to former Defra minster Eustice’s U-turn on religious slaughter

AIMS, the UK trade association which represents the majority of abattoirs, has said it was amazed to hear that the previous Agriculture Minister, George Eustice, now believes that stunning immediat…

meatmanagement.com

Looks like the Farming community are now targets for this deception along with other bodies. There are calls for a Boycott of ALL BITISH BEEF/LAMB/POULTRY until they reconsider and it is gathering momentum!! I for one believe this is the only way to get this addressed.

 

[J Cookson]

This is doing the rounds

 

[nelly55]

We need the public on our side if we are to stop non stun,but farmers need to do their bit aswell.just look at the backlash on villiers fb page over her comments

 

[Highland Mule]

We need the public on our side if we are to stop non stun,but farmers need to do their bit aswell.just look at the backlash on villiers fb page over her comments

Thank you for calling it non stun - this suggestion that all Halal is cruel is inappropriate, and insults a massive proportion of our customers.

As for those who don't know the difference between recoverable and recovered.....

 

[J Cookson]

We need the public on our side if we are to stop non stun,but farmers need to do their bit aswell.just look at the backlash on villiers fb page over her comments

You are right Farmers do need the public on their side. Villiers deserves any backlash and more but what she has done is raised the whole issue of Religious Slaughter again to a new level and that will not be good for Farmers who sell to Markets and directly into the Religious Slaughter Trade knowingly!!!

 

[J Cookson]

Religious Slaughter is still Religious Slaughter whether Stunned or Not-Stunned. Halal & Kosher are the labels they give it post slaughter if they are selling that meat to Muslim/Jewsih consumers and will often be accompanied by Religious Certifications/Accreditation, the cost of which is added to ALL Meats for ALL consumers regardless of faith.
Because of Religious Slaughter Exemptions the rules of Stun do not apply to Religious Slaughter meaning those 'Guidelines' for effective stun do not have to apply. This means ALL stuns are not the same and are not as effective as they should be. Lowering Amperages/Voltages for Stunning has been reported at many RS Abattoirs because it ensures the Animal Will Not Die and that is the main criteria for Halal Religious Slaughter which all depends on the Halal Certification Authority provider. So when Farmers try to use 'Stun' as deflection of Religious Slaughter it will not work because people are more aware than you think. The charade is over!!
Using a less powerful less effective stun is still classed as a stun but the risk of a more rapid recovery are far greater and often does happen but because it is classed as Religious Slaughter the backup stun is not required and the normal non-stun throat cutting is the solution to a recovering animal but it still classes as a stun. This allows them to sell them as Organic should they want to because non-stun can't be. This flouting of the guidelines is acceptable, allowed and ignored because of Religious Slaughter exemptions. I even have a recording of a conversation between myself and a farmer with abattoir saying exactly that. He was told if he conducted or claimed Religious Slaughter the authorities would be able to overlook certain preventative Red Tape issues that he would have to comply with if not. Thankfully he chose not to go down the RS route but he was tempted!!
This appears to be the message being promulgated to other businesses too. So as you can see even stunning cannot be trusted if conducted in compliance with Halal Sharia Religious Slaughter (stunning is not allowed for Kosher). And that is the real problem as the abattoir codes will all be the same regardless of stun method used if slaughtered at the same plant. If segregation is not maintained for Halal / Kosher they simply pass that same meat off to the main stream meat supply chain as non-Halal/non-Kosher to persons not of Jewish/Muslim faith and they do this without labelling or informing those consumers. That has got to change hence why people want the right of choice on this matter as much as Muslims/Jews have to be able to have their meats labelled Halal/Kosher. What is wrong with that?
But what Villiers has now done is let people know Religious Slaughter is going to get worse because they are promoting CUT BEFORE STUN Slaughter (neck cutting/sticking) followed by a Stun methods of slaughter to allow for Religious Slaughter compliance so it will not be long before ALL Slaughter will be Religious Slaughter because abattoirs will simply change their practices to make it easier for themselves and adpot this methodology of slaughter.
It will not happen for Kosher that is for sure as they want the animal to suffer and bleed out. But even with this in place, Non-Stun Slaughter will still be allowed regardless and the surplus will be passed onto to ALL consumers as it it already because there are no controls to prevent it!.
But does this now also mean Cut Before Stun now also comply's with Organic? I bet it does and is being used as a solution to bypass EU rules recently passed this year that prevents this stun from being labelled Organic.
Most of these problems would go away if ALL consumers had an informed choice of whether Religious Slaughter methods (whether stunned or not) were used though labelling just as Halal/Kosher consumers already have.
A simple logo on products which have not be subject of Religious Slaughter (stunned or unstunned) would be suffice for many such as this one and it would not take up much space on a label!!