Government affirms plans to allow religious slaughter

The Government has reiterated its position on religious slaughter in a response to a question put to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by Frank Field MP.

Field tabled the question days after a parliamentary debate on the subject was initiated following a petition supporting a ban on unstunned slaughter gathering more than 100,000 signatures.

Field asked the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, “if she will take steps to prevent non-stun slaughter of animals.”

MP George Eustice responded stating:

“The Government has no plans to ban non-stun religious slaughter. The Government would prefer that all animals are stunned before slaughter, but it recognises the importance which Jewish and Muslim communities attach to the right to slaughter animals for food in accordance with their beliefs.”

A further debate on the subject is expected to take place after a petition supporting the right of minorities to practice religious slaughter garnered over 120,000 signatures.