Farm Animals

Farm Animal Transport Stunning Requirements

Pre-slaughter stunning is required before killing in UK and EU abattoirs but exemptions exist for religious slaughter, creating ongoing welfare and ethical debate.

Key Facts

The Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing Regulations 2015 require effective stunning
Religious exemptions permit non-stun slaughter for halal and kosher production
Non-stun slaughter involves cutting major blood vessels causing death by blood loss
The RSPCA and BVA oppose non-stun slaughter on welfare grounds
Some Muslim and Jewish authorities accept reversible stunning followed by slaughter

Welfare Considerations

Pre-stun slaughter using effective methods renders animals insensible before blood loss and death. Non-stun slaughter requires consciousness through the period of blood loss, which welfare science indicates causes pain and distress in the seconds to minutes before unconsciousness. Promoting reversible stunning methods acceptable to religious authorities offers a welfare improvement pathway without compromising religious practice.

What You Can Do

Support labelling of meat from non-stun slaughter
Engage respectfully with discussions about religious slaughter and welfare
Advocate for promotion of reversible stunning methods acceptable across faiths
Support research into time to unconsciousness in different slaughter methods
Consider the welfare implications when purchasing halal or kosher certified products