Disappointment At Backwards Step On Religious Slaughter Labelling

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has expressed its significant disappointment with the EU Council decision to scrap plans for compulsory labelling of meat from animals slaughtered without stunning. In June the European Parliament voted on new food labelling rules including new country of origin labelling and a requirement to label meat from animals slaughtered without stunning (according to certain religious traditions). At Monday’s meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels it was reported that the European Parliament amendment for the compulsory labelling of non-stunned meat and meat products had not been accepted in the Council’s Common Position. Commenting, Harvey Locke, BVA President, said: “This is a huge step backwards. The BVA believes that all animals should be stunned before slaughter. But as long as slaughter without stunning is permitted, consumers should have the right to make an informed choice. “We hope that Members of the European Parliament will look at this issue again and push for compulsory labelling to be brought back into the plans.”

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