The British Humanist Association (BHA) has today responded to a Defra consultation on the welfare of animals at time of slaughter, urging the Government to repeal exemptions to allow ritual slaughter of animals without pre-stunning.
Naomi Phillips, BHA Public Affairs Officer, said, ‘It is important that the law covering the welfare of animals at time of slaughter is humane and aimed to reduce as far as possible the pain, suffering and distress of the animal. Exemptions afforded to religious groups to allow for slaughter of animals without pre-stunning undoubtedly contradicts that principle and it is high time for the Government to repeal them.’
‘There is no reason why the Government cannot work with Jewish and Muslim communities to seek ways of slaughtering animals in accordance with religious rules but that require that animals are properly stunned before they are slaughtered so as to minimise pain and distress. Bans on slaughter without pre-stunning have worked well in other countries without harming religious freedoms or community relations.’
Ms Phillips continued, ‘In our response to the consultation, we have also urged the Government to look again at rules on food labelling, to ensure that all meat that is derived from ritually slaughtered animals is clearly labelled as such, so that consumers are able to choose whether to buy it or not.’
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For further comment or information, contact Naomi Phillips on 020 7079 3585.
Read our response to the Defra consultation here.
You can find out more information and write to your MP to ask him or her to urge the Government to repeal the exemptions that allow ritual slaughter of animals without pre-stunning using our specially designed pages here.
The British Humanist Association (BHA) is the national charity representing and supporting the non-religious and campaigning for an end to religious privilege and discrimination based on religion or belief. It exists to support and represent people who seek to live good and responsible lives without religious or superstitious beliefs.