BVA campaign to end non-stun slaughter sees positive response

The British Veterinary Association has welcomed the positive response it has received to its campaign to improve the welfare of animals at slaughter in the UK.

Its e-petition, which calls for an end to non-stun slaughter and better information for consumers, has attracted almost 70,000 signatures since its launch in April 2014, making it one of the fastest-growing petitions on the HM Government website.

In response, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has stated that it would prefer to see all animals stunned before slaughter and agrees more information should be made available to shoppers, but it wishes to continue to allow the Jewish and Muslim communities to eat meat prepared in accordance with their religious beliefs.

The BVA said it is disappointed that a full ban on slaughter without stunning is not under consideration, but it will be continuing to seek support for the measure. It is aiming to get 100,000 signatures on its petition, so the motion will be debated in the House of Commons.

BVA president Robin Hargreaves said: "This is an animal welfare issue that affects millions of animals every year and the strong response to our petition shows many people agree that action is long overdue."

This comes after the organisation recently called for its proposed ban on wild animals in circuses to remain on the agenda, despite its omission from the Queen's Speech.