Humanists UK has expressed alarm at a new trade deal with Saudi Arabia to export non-stunned British lamb meat. The deal was announced by Food Minister George Eustice in February, but it has only just been confirmed that the lamb will be non-stunned. Humanists UK believes it shows a serious disregard for the welfare of animals during slaughter and is a worrying indication that the UK’s high standards in meat production are going to be endangered by new trade deals post-Brexit.
Non-stunned slaughter involves slitting the animal’s throat whilst it is still fully conscious and sensitive to pain, and allowing the animal to die slowly of blood loss. This is done outside of the normal welfare regulations for the slaughtering of animals, under exceptions made for halal and kosher meat. The RSPCA, British Veterinary Association and other animal welfare organisations, as well as Humanists UK, have campaigned for the removal of this exception on the grounds that it causes unnecessary suffering and distress to the animal.
It is unclear whether exporting non-stunned meat to a country outside of the EU is lawful as current regulations stipulate that the exception only applies to meat intended to fill the domestic demand within Muslim and Jewish communities.
It is believed that all meat exported to Saudi Arabia under this new deal will be certified by the Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC), which only certifies non-stunned meat as halal. This means there will be an increase in the number of animals subjected to non-stunned slaughter methods to meet the new export demand. The Food Standards Agency already estimates that approximately 25% of sheep and goats slaughtered in the UK are not stunned, far in excess of the proportion of Muslim consumers.
Humanists UK’s Campaigns Officer Rachel Taggart-Ryan commented, ‘Many organisations including the Government’s own Farm Animal Welfare Committee agree that slaughter without pre-stunning is inhumane and have called for an end to the exemptions in law that allow for it. This deal with Saudi Arabia is a worrying indication that as the UK leaves the EU animal welfare considerations will be sacrificed in the pursuit of new trade deals.’
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For further comment or information contact Rachel Taggart-Ryan, Campaigns Officer at rachel@humanists.uk or 0207 324 3065.
Read more on our campaigns on animal welfare: https://humanists.uk/campaigns/public-ethical-issues/animal-welfare/
We support the reduction of animal suffering resulting from human behaviour and see compassionate attitudes to animal suffering as a hallmark of a humane society. As we wish to reduce suffering, humanists are concerned about the treatment of food animals, both during their lives and when they are slaughtered. Pre-stunning is mandated by law but there are exemptions for religious groups to provide kosher (or shechita) and halal meat. We believe these exemptions should end, and we note that there is in fact widespread certification of meat as halal with pre-stunning. If the exemptions enabling religious slaughter are not brought to an end, then we think at the very least rules should be introduced requiring all such meat to be labelled clearly so that consumers can choose to avoid it.
About Humanists UK
At Humanists UK, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. Our work brings non-religious people together to develop their own views, helping people be happier and more fulfilled in the one life we have. Through our ceremonies, education services, and campaigning work, we’re committed to creating a fair and equal society for all.