HC Deb 17 May 2000 vol 350 c177W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the incidence of animals being illegally slaughtered without pre-stunning in abattoirs. [121957]

Mr. Morley

[holding answer 15 May 2000]: Slaughter in an abattoir without prior stunning is not illegal if it is carried out by a religious method and in accordance with the requirements set for religious slaughter. The Government would prefer all animals to be stunned before slaughter, but are committed to maintaining this exemption from the requirement to stun, in recognition of the wish of certain communities to slaughter animals in accordance with their religious beliefs. That does not mean that we do not seek to apply improved welfare standards and we do meet representatives of religious organisations to discuss their issues.