European Parliament: Labelling 'Meat from slaughter without stunning'

Text adopted in Plenary/Strasbourg on 16 June 2010

'Meat from slaughter without stunning'

EU legislation permits animals to be slaughtered without prior stunning to provide food for certain religious communities.

A proportion of this meat is not sold to Muslims or Jews but is placed on the general market and can be unwittingly purchased by consumers who do not wish to buy meat derived from animals that have not been stunned. At the same time, however, adherents of certain religions specifically seek meat from animals which have been ritually slaughtered.

Accordingly, consumers should be informed that certain meat is derived from animals which have not been stunned. This will enable them to make an informed choice in accordance with their ethical concerns.

Source: 'Meat from slaughter without stunning'
Author: European Parliament:

Link: May 2009: EU: Parliament keeps exemption for religious slaughter
Link: Viable rules on the welfare of animals at the time of slaughter