Millions of animals are suffering unnecessarily by being slaughtered without stunning to meet religious demands.
That's why we campaign to end religious exemptions to animal welfare laws.
Animal welfare law requires animals to be stunned before slaughter to minimise their pain, suffering and distress. The only exemption is for Jewish and Muslim communities to meet kosher and halal religious dietary preferences.
The scientific consensus is clear that it is more humane to stun an animal prior to slaughter. The slaughter of animals without pre-stunning is permitted in the UK despite a recommendation by the government's own advisory body, the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC), that the practice should be banned. FAWC concluded that animals slaughtered without pre-stunning are likely to experience "very significant pain and distress".
RSPCA, Compassion in World Farming and the British Veterinary Association all support an end to non-stun slaughter to improve animal welfare at the time of death.
- 70% of Brits think stunning animals before slaughtering them is more ethical.
- 72% of the population think food produced from religious non-stun slaughter methods should be clearly labelled.
We support the right to religious freedom. But this is not an absolute right. Religious exemptions shouldn't be made to laws meant to prevent unnecessary animal cruelty.
Take action!
1. Write to your MP
Ask your MP to end the religious exemption that allows animals to be slaughtered without pre-stunning.
2. Share your story
Tell us why you support this campaign, and how you are personally affected by the issue. You can also let us know if you would like assistance with a particular issue.
3. Join the National Secular Society
Become a member of the National Secular Society today! Together, we can separate religion and state for greater freedom and fairness.
Latest updates
NSS calls for clearer labelling on halal meat
Posted: Wed, 30 Aug 2017 16:53
The National Secular Society has called for clearer labelling on meat slaughtered by religious methods.
The NSS was responding to a consultation launched by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) over its proposed new quality standards for halal sheepmeat. The board proposed two labels for halal meat: one to show it had been stunned before slaughter and one for 'traditionally slaughtered animals' (see right; words 'stunned' and 'non-stunned' added by NSS).
AHDB, which exists 'to enhance the profitability and sustainability of the English beef and lamb sector', said it was aiming to ensure its guidelines were 'fit for purpose'. Awal Fuseini, the board's halal sector manager, said it wanted to "add transparency to the supply chain" and "boost customer choice in the product they are buying".
The NSS expressed its support for these goals. But campaigns director Stephen Evans wrote that the proposed labels "are not clear enough to ensure customers have the information they need to make an informed choice".
"It is highly problematic that neither of the standard marks indicate whether pre-stunning has taken place," the response added. "The two standard marks are very similar and do not provide the information required by consumers who wish to avoid meat from animals killed without pre-stunning under the legal exemption."
The society added that the decision not to use the words 'stun' or 'without stunning' in the primary branding was "highly regrettable". The NSS particularly objected to the use of Arabic writing on the 'traditional' label, arguing that it is likely to confuse most British consumers.
It expressed concern that opposition to clear method of slaughter labelling is driven by a desire to subsidise the non-stun religious slaughter industry artificially. "A lack of clear, accurate labelling results in customers being deceived into purchasing meat killed under the exemption. A failure to provide clear, accurate labelling would result in the AHDB being complicit in this deceit", warned the NSS.
The NSS also argued that clearer labelling may help to alleviate public concern over halal meat. In 2013, a survey by the Food Standards Agency found that 84% of meat slaughtered by the halal method had been pre-stunned. "More accurate labelling would provide assurance and clarity where there is currently confusion" the response said.
The NSS has long argued for an end to religious exemptions to animal welfare laws. While exemptions exist, the society argues that meat produced from animals not stunned before slaughter should be clearly labelled to allow consumer choice.
Explaining the society's response, Mr Evans said: "As long as slaughter without pre-stunning is permitted, meat from animals killed under the exemption should be clearly labelled to allow consumers to avoid meat from non-stun slaughter if that is their choice.
"Unfortunately, this proposed labelling scheme lacks any real clarity and fails to provide the necessary information to enable consumers to make an informed choice.
"Ultimately we want to see an end to the religious exemption from legal requirements to stun animals before slaughter. But if religious groups are to be given privileged exemption from UK law, it seems reasonable to expect consumers to have the right to avoid meat from animals killed under that exemption.
"We urge the AHDB not to sacrifice transparency and clarity in an attempt to boost halal meat sales."
Parliamentary candidates offer support for faith schools, non-stun animal slaughter and circumcision
Posted: Wed, 31 May 2017 14:31
The National Secular Society has criticised prospective MPs for offering their support to non-therapeutic male circumcision, religious slaughter of animals without stunning, and faith schools.
Many former MPs seeking re-election have signed up to a document, called 'The Ten Commitments', produced by the Board of Deputies of British Jews.
The Board of Deputies is asking MPs to "Defend the right to a Jewish way of life" by allowing the slaughter of animals without pre-stunning and defending the medically unnecessary circumcision of young boys.
The document also asks MPs to affirm "the importance of faith schools within the education system."
The Society said, "Religious freedom is not a totally unlimited and unqualified right. Religious freedom should not override the rights of young children to be free from unnecessary and potentially harmful surgery, and it should not override animal welfare standards that have overwhelming support in society. We urge candidates to consider these issues and the widespread public opposition to allowing religious animal slaughter without pre-stunning."
Conservative PPCs Bob Blackman and Jonathan Reynolds, as well as Labour candidates Kate Osamor, David Lammy, Ann Coffey, Mike Katz, Karen Buck, Mike Gapes, Jonathan Reynolds and Blair McDougall have all signed the Ten Commitments pledge so far.
