§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) which religious bodies he has met to discuss proposed legislation to make ritual slaughter more humane; [6239]
(2) what plans he has to proceed with the draft Bill drawn up by the last Government to make ritual slaughter more humane. [6238]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Government has no plans to introduce new legislation on religious slaughter without prior stunning, which is already subject to detailed statutory requirements. We will, however, be looking to discuss the requirements of the religious communities with a view to encouraging, where possible, an increase in the incidence of stunning before slaughter.