‘Halal slaughter is tough to abdomen – our animals deserve the most effective demise’ | Politics | News | EUROtoday

A farmer has stated he is discovering it “hard to stomach” sending his animals off for non-stunned halal slaughter when “alternatives” can be found, as the difficulty is debated by MPs. Mark Weekes, 60, a sheep farmer north of Exeter in Devon, informed the Express when requested how he felt sending his lambs off to the abattoir, realizing they could possibly be chosen for non-stunned slaughter: “When we’ve cared for these animals for their entire lives and put blood sweat and tears into looking after them, many, many farmers don’t really want to think about that.

“We have to consider it, as a result of it is a part of our enterprise, and I do consider that, if any farmer has any probability to stroll a abattoir manufacturing line, they need to. Because it reveals respect to these animals. But finally, I drop my lambs to slaughter, and it is fairly an emotional factor to do. So, transferring on from there, it is good to suppose that they’ve the most effective demise they’ll have. Which might be what we would all hope for, is not it? To have the most effective demise we will have.”

He then said that non-stunned halal is on the up, adding: “I utterly perceive and admire that halal slaughtered lamb is an enormous, huge commerce for UK sheep, and I utterly perceive and respect folks’s need to have correctly slaughtered halal meat.

“But, as far as I can tell, there are alternatives.

“Electronically surprised halal slaughtered is acceptable, and I simply discover it somewhat bit tough to abdomen once we’re placing a lot love and welfare into these animals, that they are often non-stunned halal slaughtered when there are options.

“I find that a little but difficult to accept.”

Halal slaughter requires a Muslim to make use of a pointy knife in a single movement to kill the animal, which have to be alive and wholesome on the time.

Some animals killed for halal meat within the UK are surprised electrically earlier than their throats are slit, referred to as “pre-stunned slaughter”, The Week experiences.

The British Halal Food Authority approves low-voltage electrified water baths to stun poultry, and electric-tong beautiful for sheep and goats.

But it’s not thought applicable to make use of strategies of beautiful, reminiscent of bolt weapons, that may kill the animal.

There are sure companies that supply extra alternative as to the place farmers’ animals are despatched, Mr Weekes stated, however “ultimately, once you’ve sold your animal to that business, it’s their animal, they do what they want to do with it”.

“What we need to have is a really sensible, grown-up conversation about it, and really drill into the pros and cons of both systems,” the farmer added.

“I’m fairly certain that most of the general public wouldn’t be comfortable with non-stunned slaughter.”

He additionally stated: “I certainly don’t want to be jeopardising that trade. But I think we need to have a sensible conversation. It’s a difficult one. So much of it I think is about respect. Respect for those animals, respect for everybody’s beliefs.

“I believe many, many farmers would probably have the identical thought processes as I’m going by. But, finally, we do not need to upset anyone. I embrace everyone, it is all in regards to the welfare of these animals.”

Conservative shadow farming minister Robbie Moore was unwilling to provide his stance when talking to the Express on Friday.

He instead said: “I would be very interested to hear what primary producers have to say on this issue.”

“It’s a debate that needs to happen,” Mr Moore added.

An NFU spokesperson said: “UK farmers take animal welfare very seriously and care deeply about the way their animals are treated. We also respect everyone’s right to eat in accordance with their beliefs, within the boundaries of the law.

“We continue to engage with stakeholders, religious authorities and faith-consumers to understand the factors around all forms of halal slaughter.”

The Government said in response to a petition on the subject: “The Government encourages the very best requirements of animal welfare at slaughter and would favor all animals to be surprised earlier than slaughter, however it respects the rights of Jews and Muslims to eat meat ready in accordance with their spiritual beliefs.

“The Demonstration of Life Protocol, an industry-led initiative supported by the Government, provides assurance for Muslim consumers that stunning is compatible with halal slaughter requirements, while protecting the welfare of the animals involved. Therefore, a significant proportion of halal meat comes from animals that are stunned before slaughter.

“Legislation units out the primary necessities to guard the welfare of animals at slaughter. There are extra guidelines that apply when animals are slaughtered with out beautiful to make sure that animals are spared avoidable ache, struggling, or misery in the course of the slaughter course of.

“Official Veterinarians of the Food Standards Agency are present in all approved slaughterhouses to monitor and enforce these animal welfare requirements.”