Food Agency figures show a 60% rise, between 2011 and 2013 (latest available figures) in the numbers of animals having their throats slit whilst fully conscious and able to feel pain, in UK abattoirs. This is because the Government has chosen to apply exemptions for Halal and Kosher meat even though EU directives require all animals be stunned prior to slaughter. The British Veterinary Association has stated that 'there are worrying misconceptions about what constitutes humane slaughter......our view is that all animals should be stunned before slaughter'. 

Please sign this petition to force the Government to rethink its application of exemptions in abattoirs and instead to apply a ruling that all animals must be stunned before slaughter. We should as a nation be ensuring high animal welfare standards from birth to death and it is unacceptable that animals are permitted to be tortured in this way by government decree.