Non-Stun Slaughter
Non-Stun Slaughter
Current law in Wales requires animals to be stunned before slaughter - rendering them insensible to pain until death supervenes.
Prior to Brexit, under Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009, Wales was able to implement exemptions for certain communities wishing to observe religious practices. In Wales, these exemptions were set under the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (Wales) Regulations 2014, for slaughter by the Jewish method (Shechita) and by the Muslim method (Halal).
Scientific evidence suggests that non-stun slaughter compromises animal welfare and as a result RSPCA Cymru is opposed to the continuation of these exemptions on animal welfare grounds.
In 2018, the Welsh Government announced that non-stun slaughter no longer takes place in Wales.
RSPCA Cymru is calling for legislation to be brought forward to end these exemptions. A petition, supported by the British Veterinary Association, calling for an end to non-stunned slaughter in Wales gathered thousands of signatures. Members of the Senedd have also previously shown support for the RSPCA's campaign on this issue.
Relevant Documents
- RSPCA Cymru: Welsh Government Prosecution Code Consultation Response, August 2017
- RSPCA Cymru: Response to the to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) Halal Quality Assurance Scheme,
- RSPCA Cymru Consultation Response -Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (Wales) Regulations 2012