MP calls for labelling of meat from non-stun slaughter
An MP has today called for all meat products from animals slaughtered without stunning to be labelled. Conservative MP for Tatton Esther McVey introduced a ten minute rule bill which would bring in compulsory labelling for all meat products from non-stun slaughter to ensure consumer choice. Animal welfare legislation requires all animals to be stunned before slaughter to minimise pain and suffering. But religious exemptions allow slaughter without stunning to meet Jewish and Muslim dietary preferences for kosher and halal meat. While all kosher meat in the UK is from non-stun slaughter, stunned halal meat is widely accepted among Muslims – although a significant proportion of animals killed for halal meat are not stunned. The National Secular Society, which campaigns to remove religious exemptions from animal welfare laws, briefed MPs ahead of the bill’s introduction. Ten minute rule bills are highly unlikely to become law and are generally used to raise awareness of an issue. UK ‘can no longer claim’ to be “world leader” in animal welfare Introducing the bill, McVey said a lack of …
