Government Response

The Government responded to this petition on Tuesday 2nd May 2017

Consumers should have the necessary information available to them to make an informed choice about their food and encourages the highest standards of welfare at slaughter.

The Government is aware that there is public concern about meat from animals slaughtered in accordance with religious beliefs being sold to consumers who do not require their meat to be prepared in this way. There are currently no domestic or European Regulations governing the sale and labelling of Halal or Kosher meat but where any information of this nature is provided voluntarily, it must be accurate and must not mislead the consumer.

Although the Government would prefer to see all animals stunned before they are slaughtered, the Government respects the rights of religious communities to eat meat prepared in accordance with their beliefs.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs