Over the past two years, plant-based food consumption has grown by 49% across the EU, reaching a total sales volume of €3.6 billion.
UK report: Government responds positively to slaughter petition
2025-05-15
A campaign to end non-electrical stunning in slaughter and provide consumers with better information about animal welfare in slaughterhouses has received a positive response from ministers and chancellors.
In response to a British Veterinary Association (BVA) e-petition, the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said it wants to see all animals stunned before slaughter. However, it also respects the rights of Jews and Muslims who wish to eat meat according to custom. The response also acknowledged that consumers need better information to help them make informed choices.
This e-petition is one of the fastest-growing applications on the UK government website, reaching 50,000 signatures in just two weeks. As part of a campaign to improve animal welfare at the time of death, ending slaughter without electrical stunning is a key part of the campaign. Since the British Veterinary Association (BVA) launched the campaign in April, it has received over 70,000 signatures. It is also supported by the RSPCA. The petition can be viewed at www.bit.ly/stunB4slaughter. Scientific evidence shows that slaughtering animals without pre-stunning electrical stunning compromises animal welfare. Therefore, European and UK legislation requires that all animals be stunned before slaughter, ensuring they experience no pain until their death.
However, the legislation does allow for mutilation for certain groups, such as halal and kosher animal slaughter, which does not require stunning.
Robin Hargreaves, CEO of the BVA, said: "We are encouraged by the government's announcement that it wants to see all animals stunned before slaughter in the UK. This is an animal welfare issue that affects millions of animals every year, and our petition strongly shows that many people agree and that this is long-awaited action. Those who supported the campaign will be disappointed that the Prime Minister has stated that he will not consider a total ban on unstunning before slaughter. However, we will continue to implement measures to improve animal welfare, such as killing animals from the back to reduce shock and clearer marking of slaughter sites."
The BVA and RSPCA are also concerned that animals slaughtered without stunning are entering the market without being labelled as such. With consumer concern about animal welfare increasing, the campaign is calling for clearer labelling so people can make informed choices.
In response to the e-petition, the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said ministers would consider the matter this summer, as the European Commission looks at slaughter labelling laws.
David Bowles, public affairs director, added: "The RSPCA strongly supports clear labelling and transparency so consumers know and understand what they are buying, particularly in relation to stunning and non-stunning methods of slaughter."
"While the government says consumers should be given the information they need to make informed choices about their food, we'll know their true commitment and whether they actually support these campaigns once the committee's research is published."
It is worth noting that this campaign does not involve religious beliefs, but concerns about animal welfare. The e-petition is still under development and the BVA hopes it will reach 100,000 signatures in order to be considered by the House of Commons.