Protect religious slaughter in the UK

Responsible department: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

The Government should continue to protect the right to non-stun religious slaughter in the UK.

Judaism and Islam require adherents to treat animals with kindness and to minimise pain when slaughtering. Scientific evidence shows minimisation of suffering when religious slaughter is practiced properly: www.grandin.com/ritual/rec.ritual.slaughter.html.

Stunning in abattoirs frequently fails to effectively stun the animal, thereby causing suffering. The British Veterinary Association and others opposing religious slaughter should focus on improving the competence of slaughterers who stun, instead of attacking methods that have been shown to minimise suffering.