Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the UK imports any non-stun (a) meat and (b) meat products.

The Government does not hold information on method of slaughter for imports as certification of religious slaughter is provided directly between importers and exporters. Religious slaughter can either be stun or non-stun and must comply with EU and England rules on animal welfare.

Earlier this year Saudi Arabia lifted disease restrictions on lamb imports from the UK, re-opening that market for UK businesses. Saudi Arabian authorities require lamb imports to be accompanied by a halal certificate issued by an authorised body. Meat from animals stunned at slaughter can be certified as halal.