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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to review the practice of animals not being stunned prior to slaughter; and what assessment they have made of meat produced by this method being sold to the general market and exported abroad.

The Government encourages the highest standards of animal welfare at slaughter and would prefer all animals to be stunned before slaughter. However, the Government respects the rights of Jews and Muslims to eat meat prepared in accordance with their religious beliefs.

Major retailers have sourcing policies requiring that fresh meat comes from animals that have been stunned before slaughter. They may operate limited concessions for halal or kosher food that will be clearly labelled. Stunning before slaughter is also required by some farm assurance schemes, such as Red Tractor and RSPCA Assured.

During the survey week for the 2024 Food Standards Agency Slaughter Sector Survey, 97% of poultry and 85% of red meat animals were stunned before slaughter. The Survey also sets out responses to where the meat was reported to be destined, including whether it was exported.