§ Angela SmithTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement regarding(a) the slaughter of animals outside slaughterhouses without pre-stunning and (b) the operation of EC Directive 93/119; [68621]
(2) if he will review UK legislation in relation to the implementation of Directive 93/119 regarding the slaughter of animals. [68622]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 1 February 1999]: EU Directive 93/119/EC on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing requires that animals must be stunned before slaughter, but permits Member States not to apply that rule when animals are killed without stunning for reasons of religion. The United Kingdom has provided such an exception, and the Government fully respect the right of Jews and Muslims to carry out religious slaughter in accordance with their religious beliefs.
The European Commission is of the view that Directive 93/119 requires religious slaughter to take place only in a slaughterhouse. The Government wish to bring our national implementing regulations into line with this view, and on 7 December 1998 circulated proposals to change the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 to require religious slaughter to be carried out only in licensed red meat slaughterhouses or licensed or officially regulated poultry slaughterhouses. We are considering the results of that consultation and of meetings with organisations representing the Jewish and Muslim communities.
§ Mr. GillTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received regarding the increased distance meat animals travel to slaughter as a result of the closure of smaller abattoirs. [68126]
§ Mr. MorleyThis Department receives many letters covering a range of animal welfare issues. Some of our correspondents have, amongst other things, expressed their concern that abattoir closures may affect the distance animals travel to slaughter.