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Dear Letters Editor

The Government have disappointed people who care about animal welfare yet again - this time by refusing to ban slaughter without stunning. Animals killed for Muslim halal and Jewish kosher meat are exempt from the rule that ensures all animals are stunned before being slaughtered. This is because some (though not all) Jewish and Muslim people believe that their religions forbid stunning. While I believe that respect for other people’s cultures and religions is very important, the suffering faced by these animals is unimaginable and the law should be changed to make this practice illegal.

The Government accept that animals killed without stunning experience “very significant pain and distress” and that it can take a calf up to two minutes to lose consciousness after its throat is cut. Incredibly, though, they still refuse to take action. The good news is that over 90% of animals slaughtered for halal meat in the UK are now prestunned but while millions more suffer in this way we must not shy away from this problem, however difficult and sensitive it is. Slaughter without prestunning has been banned in Norway, Sweden and New Zealand. It is time for Britain to take meaningful action: the Government cannot continue to sweep this severe animal welfare problem under the carpet.

People can find out more about this campaign by contacting the animal campaigning group Viva!, 8 York Court, Wilder St, Bristol BS2 8QH; tel 0117 944 1000; www.viva.org.uk

Yours sincerely