Banning Halal and Kosher slaughter would be un-British

Do we want Jews and Muslims to live in this country? It’s a serious question and one prompted by the National Secular Society calling on the next government to ban non-stun ritual slaughter of animals. Dhabihah (halal slaughter) and shechita (its kosher equivalent) cater for Muslims and Jews who observe strict dietary laws on the preparation of livestock for food. Generally, animals must be stunned before being bled, be it by a bolt-gun to the brain, gassing or electric shock, but shechita requires no stunning while the two main halal monitoring bodies disagree over whether some stunning methods (water-bathing and electric-tonging) are permissible. The law currently makes an exemption to allow for these practices.

Animal rights groups, including those which ultimately want a complete ban on killing animals for food, recognise the propaganda value of this issue, and charge that non-stun slaughter is cruel and painful. Halal and kosher authorities say their methods are in fact more humane.