Reacting to the Labour Party’s proposal that all meat should be labelled ‘stunned/ non-stunned’, Shimon Cohen, Shechita UK’s Campaign Director, has issued the following statement:
“It is unfortunate that the Labour Party’s proposal regarding meat labelling is behind the curve. Informed circles have now moved this discussion on to comprehensive method of slaughter labelling which would ensure that consumers know whether their meat has been stunned by captive bolt shooting, gassing, electrocution by tongs or water, or any of the other approved methods. It is neither correct nor sufficient for meat to be labelled as ‘stunned’ or ‘non-stunned’ as we must be careful not to mislead the consumer into believing that mechanical stunning is a kind medicinal process, gently sending the animal into a woozy state of unconsciousness. Mechanical stunning is an aggressive, invasive procedure which many object to. Comprehensive method of slaughter labelling is welcomed by religious communities and animal welfare groups alike and we would urge the Labour Party to urgently review their policy.”