The RSPCA and the British Veterinary Association call on the UK Government to end non-stun slaughter

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The RSPCA and the British Veterinary Association call on the UK Government to end non-stun slaughter

6 February 2019
RSPCA
News
The latest figures from 2017-18 reveal that over 120 million animals were slaughtered without being stunned first - more than three animals slaughtered every second on average. 

We've joined forces with the British Veterinary Association (BVA) to call on the UK Government to change the law that permits animals to be slaughtered without pre-stunning, causing unnecessary pain and suffering.  

In an open letter to Environment Secretary Michael Gove, we're urging the UK Government to change legislation in England which currently allows non-stun slaughter for religious purposes. We also want them to provide further public transparency on this issue by releasing the comprehensive 2018 slaughter survey results, which were originally due for release Autumn 2018.

What the open letter asks for

We're calling for an end to non-stun slaughter. No exceptions. Until such legislation is in place, we and the BVA are calling for the following:

  • Meat to be labelled with the method of slaughter, e.g. stunned or non-stunned, so consumers are fully informed about the meat that they're buying.
  • Non-stun slaughter to only be permitted at levels that meet local religious community demand for this type of meat in the interests of limiting animal pain and suffering.
  • A ban on export of meat from non-stunned animals or live animals destined for non-stun slaughter.
  • An immediate post-cut stun for cattle, sheep, goats and deer to reduce the period of pain and distress.

Our chief executive, Chris Sherwood, said:

We're opposed to non-stun slaughter and we're calling for an end to the practice as it seriously compromises animal welfare.