SAV Comment – we support the BVA on this issue 110%.  The UK is a county that abides by EU law (except for ‘religion’ (?) and stuns all animals prior to slaughter.  There should be no exemption for religious purposes.  In the UK, do what the UK wants – ALL animals stunned prior to slaughter.  Or much better still – ditch the meat and go veggie or vegan !

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/vets-call-welsh-government-not-8517865#ICID=sharebar_facebook

Vets call on Welsh Government not to spend taxpayers’ cash on North Wales halal abattoir

12:58, 26 January 2015

By Sally Williams

Welfare concerns raised by the British Veterinary Association over use of non-stun killing methods

Vets are urging the Welsh Government to end talks with a company that has been approved to deliver non-stun slaughter at a halal abattoir in Wales.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) is particularly concerned that the Welsh Government is considering using public money to support the company, without prioritising the welfare of the animals.

Rebecca Evans, Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, confirmed in correspondence with the BVA, that Cig Menai Cymru abattoir in Caernarfon, owned by Birmingham-based halal meat suppliers Pak Mecca Meats, has been approved by the Food Standards Agency to carry out controversial non-stun killing.

But Rob Davies, president of the BVA Welsh Branch, said the Welsh Government had failed to answer questions about whether or not they are willing to give financial support to a company which undertakes and promotes non-stun killing as a marketing tool.

Mr Davies said: “It seems that animal welfare is not a concern for the Deputy Minister in this particular discussion.

“BVA calls upon the Welsh Government to state clearly that it will not spend public money on abattoirs which don’t stun animals before killing them. I would appeal to Welsh farmers to consider the damage done to the image and reputation of Welsh meat if they knowingly take or send animals to an abattoir which doesn’t stun before killing.

“Welsh meat must be welfare-friendly from birth to slaughter. ”

Current law in Wales requires animals to be stunned before slaughter but exemptions exist for animals killed for certain faith communities.

BVA is calling on the Welsh Government to end these exemptions and claims the Government also failed to give details of the species or throughput in the abattoir, without which a proper assessment cannot be made about how much meat is being used for religious practice and how much is entering the general food chain.

John Blackwell, BVA president, said: “BVA advocates that all animals which enter an abattoir be stunned before being killed; this view is based on scientific evidence that shows that non-stun slaughter allows animals to perceive pain.

“Concern about welfare of animals at slaughter is a priority not only for our members but also the general public, with the BVA’s Government e-petition reaching more than 95,000 signatures.

“This is a clear signal that the Welsh Government is out of touch with the public on this issue.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The welfare of animals is a priority for the Welsh Government, as demonstrated by Mrs Evans’ Animal Health and Welfare Framework introduced in July 2014.

“We have implemented European Commission Regulation 1099/2009 on protection of animals at time of killing.”

Petition stop halal.

https://www.change.org/p/stop-halal-process-of-animal-slaughtering-for-commercial-purpose-abhishek-kadyan

Petition wording

Whether halal process of animal slaughtering for commercial purpose is valid?

Spread over an area of over 17 acres the plant has Adequate chillers, blast freezers, Mechanized and Hygienic Processing Area conforming to high and Stringent Quality Standards. Strategically located near IGI Airport New Delhi, chilled and frozen sheep / goat Meat can be airlifted at short notice The AL nafees group has added to Its fold a new ultra modern Integrated sheep and goat plant at Nooh, Distt. Mewat (Haryana)The abattoir is fitted with imported Italian line having a capacity of Slaughtering and processing of 1500 Animals per day, claimed by the Al Nafees Proteins Pvt. Ltd on its website, where as its slaughter house in Satakpuri, On the eve of World Environment Day, being an member of State Committee for Slaughter House (Govt. of Haryana) I have visited the said slaughter house and found that two adult sheep’s leg were broken during their cruel shifting in goods transport vehicles, which is the violation of the Cattle Transport Rules, 1978 amended in 2001 read with the Haryana Motor Vehicle Rules, 1993 section 94, two small lamb was also seen in the lairage, sheep’s were being killed adopting hallal process and it was being done in the presence of many alive sheep’s, I have got photographs with hidden camera, hence this is the violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001 (Copy of this rule is attached here with for ready reference), 6. Slaughter – (1) No animal shall be slaughtered in a slaughter house in sight of other animals, where as this slaughter house is duly recognized by the National Meat and Poultry Processing Board. My recommendations: 1. Shut down the slaughter house after lodging FIR against the management, official responsible and rescue all abused animals. 2. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter house) Rules, 2001 read with the Cattle Transport Rules, 1978 amended in 2001 and Haryana Motor Vehicle Rules, 1993 section 94 be strictly implemented, where as FIR No. 145 dated June 5, 2013 was also lodged with the Police station, Bhondsi in Gurgaon rescuing 170 sheep’s, while going to Satakpuri on June 5, 2013. Animal can be shifted as per their shape and size. 3. Close circuit camera be installed to check the animal abuse since transportation to slaughter the animals. 4. SPCA’s, Infirmaries, State Animal Welfare Board, State and District Committees for Slaughter Houses should be effectively managed. 5. The National Cattle Commission report, 2002 be implemented and cow progeny be declared as National domestic animals of India. 6. Camels, cow progeny slaughter be banned in India, where as transportation of camels rules may kindly be introduced with the breeding protocol for Emu and Rabbits. 7. Poultry needs attention, since hatchery to slaughter, the Govt. of Haryana issued advisory for Poultry farms be implemented strictly, all illegal slaughter houses be crack down at once, concerned officials be charge sheeted for any violation of the above said legislation’s.

Links to some of our (SAV) past posts regarding Halal and ‘religious’ slaughter:

serbiananimalsvoice.com/2014/10/08/england-tell-prime-minister-cameron-he-does-not-represent-you-ban-halal-slaughter-in-the-uk/

serbiananimalsvoice.com/2014/03/06/uk-uk-top-vet-calls-for-reform-of-kosher-and-halal-slaughter-practices-we-support-him-110/

serbiananimalsvoice.com/2014/08/19/uk-british-vets-appalled-by-halal-board-letter-declaring-them-as-racially-and-politically-motivated-in-fact-they-are-concerned-about-the-welfare-of-animals-at-the-time-of-slaughter/

serbiananimalsvoice.com/2014/12/28/egypt-the-reality-of-the-live-export-trade-and-halal-slaughter-warning-very-graphic-footage-of-animal-abuse-and-death/

serbiananimalsvoice.com/2014/04/30/uk-british-veterinary-association-launches-government-petition-to-end-non-stun-slaughter-petition-for-uk-residents-only/

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