The number of sheep slaughtered in Britain without being stunned first has doubled in the last six years to more than 3 million, official figures show.Ministers attributed the rise to the Muslim community eating more sheep meat.
Former president of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, Lord Trees, pointed out this meant animals were having their throats cut while still conscious and argued the country was moving "backwards" in this area of animal welfare.
The Government has said it would prefer all animals going to slaughter to be stunned first, but there was long-standing convention to respect the rights of Jewish and Muslim communities to prepare meat in accordance with their religious beliefs.
.... Labour former environment minister Lord Rooker pointed out all New Zealand sheep and lamb that arrived in this country was halal, but had been stunned prior to slaughter.
He said: "So if it's good enough to have a standard in New Zealand that classifies as halal, why do we put up with a local decision that is not an international rule?
"Why can't we adopt the New Zealand practice in respect of the Muslim community?"
Lord Gardiner said there were different requirements within the Muslim community. [Farming Online] Read more
