In Ireland, laws are in place to provide for the ethical slaughter of animals. While I disagree with this slaughter in general, the methods used in the production of Halal meat are barbaric and cause unnecessary cruelty to the animal. In Ireland, the captive bolt gun is used for cows which is meant to stun the cow and render it unconscious. In Halal slaughter, however, the cow's throat is slashed and the animal is left to bleed to death fully conscious and aware of what's happening to it. Bleeding to death takes 5 minutes or more. Video footage can be found online to support this. This cruelty is inexcusable and I would ask you to sign and send the message to our Minister so that we may end Halal slaughter in Ireland.