HC Deb 02 February 1977 vol 925 cc179-80W
Mr. David Walder

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list in the Official Report those religious communities in the United Kingdom which slaughter animals in a manner peculiar to their religious belief; what methods they each use; and what supervision or control is exercised by his Department to prevent unnecessary cruelty in each case.

Mr. Strang

The slaughter of animals by religious methods is subject to all the legislation requiring humane treatment of animals in slaughterhouses, with the sole exception of the provision for stunning prior to slaughter. Exemption from this provision is allowed only for animals slaughtered by a Jew or a Mohammedan for the food of Jews or Mohammedans, respectively.

All slaughtermen must be licensed by the local authority, which must be satisfied that the licensee is a fit and proper person to hold a licence. It is an offence to inflict unnecessary suffering on animals slaughtered by Jewish or Mohammedan or any other methods. The responsibility for enforcement of this legislation lies with the local authorities.