Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 30 June 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 1 September 2004. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Wednesday, 1 September 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will take steps to ensure that all meat or meat products on sale which are the result of a slaughter process where pre-stunning has been absent are required to be labelled accordingly.

Answer: Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure that all meat or meat products on sale which are the result of a slaughter process where pre-stunning has been absent are required to be labelled accordingly. [182246] Miss Melanie Johnson: There is currently no requirement in United Kingdom law to provide the method of slaughter on labels. The Government recognises that some consumers may wish to have access to this information. This issue was one of the points raised by the Farm Animal Welfare Council's report on welfare at slaughter, the Government's response to which went out to public consultation. The Food Standards Agency will consider the responses to that consultation before deciding what action it might take on this issue. In the interim industry may wish to consider voluntary labelling to assist consumer choice in this area.

Secondary information