Halal and kosher slaughter of animals should be outlawed, Britain's leading vet said today.
John Blackwell, president-elect of the British Veterinary Association, has argued the ritual killing of poultry, sheep and cattle by cutting their throats causes unnecessary suffering to animals.
Traditionally, Jewish and Islamic slaughter practices involve animals having their throats slit and the blood drained because it is 'humane'
But Mr Blackwell, who has been accused of 'inflaming prejudice' by religious leaders, says animals must be stunned before the cut because some will be conscious for up to two minutes before death.
[A COMMENT] This ritual slaughter of meat is medieval, barbaric, cruel and totally unnecessary. It has absolutely no place in the civilised world and I am astonished at how widespread this has become. There is absolutely no justification for it whatsoever and it is about time practise was stopped. [Daily Mail] Read more
