Originally from: Farmtalking
                        
Thursday 1 April 2004

RSPCA Dismay As Government Fails To Act On Slaughter Without Pre-stunning

The RSPCA has expressed dismay at today's government announcement that it will not ban the practice of slaughtering animals without stunning – despite compelling evidence that these animals suffer unnecessarily.

A detailed report by the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) into the welfare of slaughtered animals* called on the government to repeal a current legal exemption which allows Halal and Kosher meat to be produced in the UK without the animals being stunned prior to having their throats cut. All other animals must first be rendered insensible to pain.

But the government has rejected the recommendation – as well as calls for meat to be clearly labelled with the method of slaughter.

RSPCA head of farm animals department Dr Julia Wrathall said: "By rejecting these changes the government is accepting that animals will continue to suffer and is denying consumers the chance to make an informed choice about the meat they eat.

"Whilst welcoming the government's support for many of the other FAWC recommendations we are extremely disappointed that they have failed to act on evidence – based on scientific research and practical experience – that slaughter without pre-stunning imposes unnecessary suffering. The FAWC report showed, for example, that when calves' throats are cut without pre-stunning they can remain conscious for up to two minutes as they bleed to death. During this time they may be experiencing severe pain and distress."

The RSPCA recognises that religious beliefs and practices should be respected but also firmly believes that animals should be killed in the most humane conditions possible. Already in the UK 90 per cent of animals killed for Halal meat are unconscious when the cut is made to the throat. In New Zealand, any animal slaughtered by the Kosher method is stunned shortly after the cut has been made challenging the government's claim today that banning slaughter without pre-stunning would "export the problem". These practices show some degree of flexibility in religious interpretation and the RSPCA would like to see them adopted in the UK.

Dr Wrathall continued: "We feel that many members of the public will be alarmed to know that meat from animals killed without pre-stunning can enter the ordinary food chain. Only compulsory labelling would allow consumers to make a proper, informed choice."

The RSPCA will now be urging the government to introduce other important welfare improvements recommended by FAWC such as minimising the time animals wait on lorries and improving the training of slaughter staff.

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