ECJ rules that pre-stunning significantly reduces animal suffering
Kosher and halal meat cannot be labelled as organic if the animal was slaughtered without pre-stunning, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled.
The ruling follows a case which had been taken to the French minister for agriculture by a group called Oeuvre d’Assistance aux Bêtes d’Abattoirs (OABA).
The group argued that the organic farming label should not be applied to products - specifically beef patties - that contained meat from non-stunned animals.
The case was initially rejected by the French courts, but was passed to the ECJ for consideration.
According to Farmers Weekly, the court ruled that non-stun slaughter carried out for religious reasons did not meet the high animal welfare standards required by organic regulations.
The court is also reported to have said that pre-stunning significantly reduced animal suffering.
Under EU law, all animals - with the exception of those for Jewish and Muslim consumption - must be stunned before slaughter.
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
