I received this email today from BVA in response to mine: On Tuesday, 8 December 2015, Susie Child (BVA) wrote: Dear Johanne, Thank you for your email and interest in BVA’s concerns around animal welfare at slaughter. BVA has called for an end to non-stun slaughter on the basis of scientific evidence which shows that slaughter without pre-stunning compromises animal welfare animal welfare. We have not called for an end to Dhabihah slaughter for Halal food and Shechita slaughter for Kosher food. We think it’s important to note that over 80% of Halal slaughter in the UK is pre-stunned. We make a clear differentiation between religious and non-stun slaughter. Our concern does not relate to religious belief but to the animal welfare compromise of non-stun slaughter. While non-stun slaughter is permitted we are calling for clearer slaughter-method labelling and post-cut stunning to improve welfare. Further details of BVA’s views and activities in relation to non-stun slaughter are available on our website: http://www.bva.co.uk/News-campaigns-and-policy/Policy/Ethics-and-welfare/Welfare-at-slaughter/ In terms of what the government is doing, there is information on their website https://www.gov.uk/guidance/farm-animal-welfare-at-slaughter#religious-slaughter-of-farmed-animals New legislation (Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing) has gradually been introduced over the last couple of years across the UK, which brought in some additional animal welfare requirements but continues to provide an exemption for killing animals in accordance with religious rites. Back in 2014, David Cameron indicated that he did not wish to ban this practice. I hope that is of help. Kind Regards Susie