Written question asked by Tim Farron (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 2 September 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 7 September 2011. It was answered by James Paice (Conservative) on Thursday, 8 September 2011 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Meat: Labelling

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will bring forward proposals to introduce meat labelling that indicates whether the animal slaughtered has been stunned or non-stunned.

Answer: [holding answer 7 September 2011]: While the Government remain of the view that it would prefer to see all animals stunned before slaughter it has, over the last few months, made it clear that it has no plans to ban the slaughter of animals without a pre cut stun where this is done for religious purposes to meet the needs of a particular religious community. However, Ministers have made it clear that they will wish to discuss options for improving the welfare of animals slaughtered without stunning with the Jewish and Muslim communities. This will be done in the context of work to implement the new EU Regulation (No 1099/2009) on the protection of animals at the time of killing, which comes into effect on 1 January 2013. There will be full consultation with all interested parties before any final decisions are taken.

Secondary information