Secretly filmed footage from a halal abattoir caused an outcry in 2016, showing sheep writhing in agony on a bloody floor after having their throats cut while still alive.
The abattoir, Simply Halal, has since been shut down by the Food Standards Agency and last year the owner and a slaughterman were fined for animal welfare offences, but the issue of the slaughter of livestock while still conscious is as inflamatory as ever.
By law, all animals should be stunned before slaughter, but UK and European Union rules give exemptions on religious grounds.
Kirklees in West Yorkshire is one of 17 councils that provides halal meat to schools from animals that have not been stunned before having their throats cut.
Last week council leader Shabir Pandor questioned whether those campaigning to ban non-stun slaughter really have animal welfare at heart.
.... Other groups that have criticised the slaughter of unstunned animals include the British Veterinary Association and the RSPCA, which says: “Our concern is solely with the welfare of animals and we're calling for all farm animals to be stunned with no exceptions, to ensure they are unconscious and insensible to pain when killed.”
“With around 84% of halal animals already being pre-stunned and certified as halal it highlights that humane slaughter and religious practices can work together. [Daily Mirror] Read more
