Sharp rise in halal abattoirs slaughtering animals without stunning them first

The number of animals killed in halal abattoirs without being stunned first soared in the last year, figures have revealed. Campaigning by Muslims for traditional methods of slaughter has led to a 60 percent rise in the number of non-pain free killings, industry experts said.

Last year 2.4 million sheep and goats had their throats cut without being stunned in halal and kosher abattoirs, according to the British Veterinary Association (BVA). In halal premium, 37 per cent of sheep and goats, 25 per cent of cattle and 16 per cent of poultry were killed without being stunned first.

For meat to be halal, the animal must be alive when its throat is cut and die from loss of blood. 

Cattle take up to two minutes to lose consciousness after their throats are cut, while sheep are awake for only 20 seconds, according to the European Food Safety Authority. Critics say such practices harm the welfare of animals. John Blackwell, president of the BVA, said that the practice “unnecessarily compromises animal welfare at the time of death”.

Awal Foneini, certification manager of the Halal Food Authority, told The Times that the rise in non-stun killings was due to “stronger campaigning” from Muslims who wrongly believed that stunning killed animals. 

Last week a petition demanding an outright ban on slaughtering animals without stunning them first attracted more than 100,000 backers. However the Government insisted it still had “no intention” of outlawing religious slaughter.