Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

RSPCA and BVA issue call to end non-stun slaughter
The BVA and RSPCA have called for non-stun slaughter to only be permitted at levels that meet local religious community demand.

Over 120 million animals slaughtered without pre-stunning between October 2017 and September 2018  

The BVA and the RSPCA have issued a joint call to the Government to bring an end to non-stun slaughter.

The call comes as new figures reveal more than 120 million animals were slaughtered between October 2017 and September 2018 without being stunned first.

In a letter to environment secretary Michael Gove, BVA and RSPCA call for a change in legislation in England, which currently allows non-stun slaughter for religious purposes. They also call on the Government to release the 2018 Food Standards Agency slaughter survey results, which were due for release in Autumn 2018.

Until such legislation is implemented, the BVA and the RSPCA would like to see measures introduced to limit animal pain and suffering. These include a call for meat to be labelled with the method of slaughter so that consumers are fully informed about the meat they are buying.

The letter follows a ban on non-stun slaughter in the Flanders region of Belgium, which came into force at the beginning of 2019. Belgium joined Iceland, Sweden, Switzerland and Denmark in making this decision, 'demonstrating that a full ban on non-stun slaughter is possible within EU law.'

“Our concern does not relate to the expression of religious belief but the welfare of animals," said RSPCA chief executive Chris Sherwood. "Until there is a change in the law to end non-stun slaughter, there are several measures the UK Government could introduce to reduce the suffering involved in this practice.

“For example, by ensuring trade deals with other countries do not include non-stun meat or live animals for non-stun slaughter, clear labelling should be adopted to enable consumers to make an informed choice about the meat they buy and how it was slaughtered."

Other calls include non-stun slaughter to only be permitted at levels that meet local religious community demand, and an immediate post-cut stun for cattle, sheep, goats and deer to reduce the period of pain and distress.

BVA President Simon Doherty said: “The UK Government has repeatedly stated it would prefer to see all animals stunned before slaughter but has taken no action to address this critical welfare issue that affects millions of animals every year. It is doubly disappointing that data that would have provided a valuable benchmark for levels of non-stun slaughter in the UK has yet to see the light of day despite assurances throughout last year that it would soon be made public.
 
“There is a huge groundswell of support for a ban on non-stun slaughter, and recent developments in Belgium show that decisive change is possible where public support is matched by political will.
Michael Gove has made clear that he wants to maintain and build on the UK’s reputation as a global leader on animal welfare; banning non-stun slaughter is a surefire way of showing he will deliver on this commitment.
 
“If slaughter without stunning continues to be permitted in the UK, then meat and fish from this source must be clearly labelled, to help customers make informed choices about the food that they buy and eat.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.