Councillors launch survey over halal meat labelling

A group of councillors have asked for changes in the law around the use of halal meat in schools, restaurants and takeaways.

Reform UK councillors in Swindon have launched a survey to ask people whether they think schools and food outlets should have to clearly identify meat from animals "slaughtered without prior stunning".

Deputy leader, Colin Lovell, said: "Non-stun slaughter means an animal is not rendered unconscious before its throat is cut." Leader Sara Godwin added: "That's an important animal welfare issue and we believe you should be told."

But Anisah, 32, who runs a social media page reviewing halal food, said the Reform group's comments would "further fuel hatred towards Muslims."

Halal food is prepared according to strict Islamic dietary laws.

UK law requires animals to be stunned before slaughter unless the meat is intended for Muslims or Jews but there is no legal requirement to label meat as halal or kosher in the UK, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

The Swindon Reform group said it believes "everyone has the right to know where their food comes from and to make an informed choice".

According to 2024 figures from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 27 million – or 2.6% – of all animals processed were slaughtered without pre-stunning.

Anisah said: "Getting halal meat begins with treating animals kindly from feeding them and keeping them in clean conditions. And the slaughter method is to be carried out quickly so the animal experiences the least amount of pain and distress.

"If you are that concerned about animals and their welfare… then they should start promoting everyone to be vegan."

A spokesperson for the Halal Authority Board, which certifies halal food producers, said: "We would like to highlight the fact that the majority of halal meat in this country is stunned, and we do not believe there is a lack of transparency in the supply of meat in the UK because buyers can specify which category of meat they need, whether non-halal, or halal stunned or non-stunned."

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