Parliamentary group backs call for clearer labelling
A BVA petition calling for better food labelling has received 71,000 signatures.
More research and a consumer attitudes survey to labelling are among the recommendations of an All Party Parliamentary Group for Beef and Lamb report on meat slaughtered in accordance with religious rites.
The group is in agreement with the Government that whilst it is preferable that all meat is stunned before slaughter, it is to the benefit and pride of the United Kingdom that religious freedoms allow communities to eat meat prepared in accordance with their religious requirements.
However the report identifies several areas where greater research is needed and makes recommendations on the matter of labelling and traceability to help consumers from all communities make informed decisions when purchasing meat.
The BVA says it welcomes the call for further research - particularly work to gather evidence on the recoverability of certain stunning methods, to reassure some religious communities that these can be compatible with their needs.
BVA president Robin Hargreaves said: "BVA has long held the position that slaughter without pre-stunning unnecessarily compromises animal welfare at the time of death...a position supported by the Humane Slaughter Association, the Farm Animal Welfare Council, the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe and the European Food Safety Authority.
We are also concerned that meat from non-stun slaughter is entering the market unlabelled because there is no requirement to label meat and meat products with the method of slaughter. We believe strongly that food should be labelled as stunned or non-stunned and we are delighted that the all-party group supports the BVA call for clearer labelling.
“BVA has been at the forefront of the campaign to ensure all animals are effectively stunned before slaughter and, with the support of the RSPCA, we launched a government e-petition calling for an end to non-stun slaughter on animal welfare grounds. We’ve reached over 71,000 signatures already but we hope to achieve 100,000 signatures so that consideration will be given to a debate in the House of Commons.”
The BVA’s e-petition is at: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/64331
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
