The RSPCA has renewed calls to end non-stun slaughter as the Food Standards Authority (FSA) released figures showing a rise in animals slaughtered without pre-stunning, which now stands at around half million animals every week.
The figures show that there have been 30.11 million animals slaughtered without pre-stunning in 2024 which is a 18.5% increase from 2022 (25.4 million) when the figures were last released.
Non-stun slaughter has risen for both halal and Shechita with a 20.9% increase in non-stunned halal and a 2% increase in non-stunned kosher.
David Bowles, head of public affairs at the RSPCA, said: “We are disappointed to see that the numbers of animals slaughtered without pre-stunning has risen since the figures were last reported two years ago.
“This is a real concern as, based on predictions, this means over half a million animals are slaughtered without stunning every single week. We have long campaigned to bring an end to non-stun slaughter and would like to see a change in the law which would protect the welfare of millions of farmed animals.”
Mr Bowles continued: “We acknowledge that religious beliefs and practices should be respected. However, all animals should be treated humanely at the time of killing and therefore be stunned prior to slaughter as not doing so seriously compromises their welfare.
“We would also like to see a ban on exporting non stunned meat from the UK which we believe breaks the tenet, if not the wording, in our slaughter legislation. The current figures released by the FSA on exports of non-stunned meat are ambiguous at best but show exports of halal non-stunned meat. We urge the FSA to offer more clarity on this issue on numbers and destinations of this meat which we believe is against the thrust of the law.”
Legislation in the UK requires all farm animals to be stunned before they’re slaughtered. Stunning ensures animals are unconscious at the time of slaughter, so they cannot feel pain or suffer. For slaughter to be humane, it’s essential that animals are effectively stunned.
