All animals should be stunned before slaughter.

What’s the issue?

EU and UK legislation requires that all livestock is stunned before slaughter to render them insensible to pain at the time of killing. However, the law also allows an exemption for animals slaughtered in accordance with religious rites. Every year millions of animals are slaughtered without pre-stunning, compromising their welfare. 

While our long-term aim is to move towards an end to non-stun, we’re calling for improved regulation of non-stun slaughter through:

• The introduction of a non-stun permit system to ensure that the number of animals slaughtered without prior stunning does not exceed the relevant demand of the UK’s religious communities.
• A ban on the export of meat from animals that have not been stunned before slaughter.
• Clear labelling of meat and meat-products from animals that have not been stunned before slaughter.
• Improved public procurement – public service should only procure meat and meat products from animals that have been stunned before slaughter, unless there is a specific request to meet the needs of a specified UK religious community
• Robust and regular reporting on: the numbers of animals that aren't stunned; the numbers that don't receive an effective stun; and the amount of non-stun meat that is exported.
• Positive dialogue with religious certification bodies to promote stunning