I am personally devastated by the sheer scale of suffering endured by animals in the process of non-stun slaughter in the UK for meat. In 2024 alone, over 30 million animals, were slaughtered without pre-stunning, meaning they were fully conscious when their throats were cut. This includes:

26 million chickens
3.1 million sheep
51,000 cattle

Scientific research and veterinary experts, including the RSPCA and British Veterinary Association, confirm that slaughter without stunning causes immense pain and suffering when an animal is killed without stunning.

They remain conscious for up to several minutes after their throats are cut.
Pain receptors are active, meaning they feel extreme pain and distress.
They struggle and thrash, desperately trying to escape.
Blood loss is slow, causing prolonged suffering before they finally lose consciousness.
This barbaric and inhumane method of slaughter is illegal in many countries, including Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, yet the UK still allows it under religious exemptions. However, it is important to note that 88% of Halal meat in the UK is already pre-stunned, proving that religious practices and humane slaughter can coexist.

If the UK is serious about animal welfare, it must ban non-stun slaughter entirely. No animal should be forced to endure a slow agonising death in the name of outdated practice.

This practice of non-stun slaughter stands in stark contrast to our nation's proclaimed values of compassion and respect for all living beings. For the sake of alleviating unnecessary anguish, I implore you to consider the devastating reality faced by these animals, and demand that our legislators enact immediate restrictions on this cruel method of slaughter.

We demand that Parliament:
✅ Ban all non-stun slaughter in the UK
✅ Ensure all animals are humanely stunned before slaughter
✅ Prohibit the export of non-stunned meat

It is time we align our actions with our values - so let’s end this unneeded suffering now by banning non-stun slaughter in the UK. Please, sign this petition to stand against cruelty and insist upon the humane treatment of all animals.

Ban Non-Stun Slaughter in the UK – Stop the Unnecessary Cruelty