LICENSE OF EXEMPTION FROM REGULATIONS OF NORMAL LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTER

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
23/7/1991

FARM ANIMAL WELFARE COUNCIL

REPORT ON THE WELFARE OF LIVESTOCK WHEN SLAUGHTERED BY RELIGIOUS METHODS

The Government has now completed its consideration of the Farm Animal Welfare Council's report on religious Slaughter and the considerable number of comments which have been received on it from interested parties. I enclose a copy of the Press Release announcing the Government’s response to the report together with a paper outlining proposals for implementing the Council's recommendations. Included in these proposals is an undertaking to write to enforcement Authorities and representatives of the religious communities to remind them of the following provisions of the Slaughterhouses Act 1974, the Slaughter of Animals (Scotland) Act 1980 and the Slaughter of Poultry Act 1967 and appropriate regulations as they apply to religious Slaughter:


The only exemption provided in the legislation for the Jewish and Muslim communities is from stunning; other parts of the law concerning the Welfare of the Livestock at the Slaughter apply to all forms of Slaughter;

It is an offence to Slaughter livestock under the exemption from stunning if it is known at the meat is not intended for the food of the Jews and Muslims.

I should be grateful if you would draw these points to the attention of all members of your organisations who may be engaged in religious Slaughter of Livestock in Great Britain.

Yours Faithfully

Jill Russell ( Miss)

[Source: Halal Monitoring Committee ]


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