RITUAL SLAUGHTER METHODS IN THE UK

Some religious faiths have special requirements about the meat that they eat, and in particular the method by which the animal is slaughtered.

• The Islamic faith stipulates that only healthy and uninjured animals can be killed for human consumption
• Stunning prior to slaughter is considered injurious and therefore is not carried out in all cases
• Death is achieved by drawing a very sharp knife across the throat

Shechita slaughter (Jews)

• The animals are killed while still conscious
• The meat is called Kosher (which means ‘fit’ or ‘proper’) meat
• May only be carried out by an approved slaughter-man of the Jewish faith who is usually a Rabbi