Animals slaughtered without prior stunning can remain conscious after their throats are cut, causing avoidable pain, fear and distress.

UK law generally requires animals to be stunned before slaughter, but an exemption allows slaughter without stunning for religious purposes. An animal’s capacity to suffer is the same regardless of the reason for slaughter.

This petition is about animal welfare—not opposition to any religion or community. Religious freedom should be respected, but it should not permit avoidable animal suffering.

We are calling for the religious exemption to be removed and for effective stunning before slaughter to become compulsory throughout the UK. Religious meat production could continue, provided every animal is effectively stunned before its throat is cut.

Please sign and share this petition if you believe every animal deserves the same legal protection at the time of slaughter.