to think Halal meat is cruel?

[IAmMiranda]

Bought a very nice panini today (bacon, brie and cranberry) from the local sandwich shop.

I didn't realise at the time that all the meat in that shop is Halal, which I am strongly opposed to.

Here is Wiki's description of Halal

^"Specifically, the slaughter must be performed by a Muslim, who must precede the slaughter by invoking the name of Allah, most commonly by saying "Bismillah" ("In the name of Allah") and then three times "Allahu akbar" (God is the greatest). Then, the animal must be slaughtered with a sharp knife by cutting the throat, windpipe and the blood vessels in the neck (while the animal is conscious), causing the animal’s death without cutting the spinal cord. Lastly, the blood from the veins must be drained."

AIBU to think this seems unnecessarily cruel?

(I realise the UK meat industry is far from perfect but this seems particularly nasty)

[Tavv]

"In the UK, the Jewish and Muslim communities are exempt from a section of the law that requires all animals to be stunned before they are slaughtered."

www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/farm/slaughter/factfile

The RSPCA is campaigning for further amendments to the law. For example in New Zealand all Halal meat is stunned before slaughter and they'd like to see the same done here. And in the meantime all meat which has been slaughtered without pre-stunning should be labelled as such so consumers can make a more informed choice.

RSPCA Religious Slaughter Information Sheet

"The RSPCA is opposed to the slaughter of any food animal without first rendering it insensible to pain and distress until death supervenes."

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

However, according to the second RSPCA report you link to c88% of Halal slaughter in the UK involves pre-stunning.

[defuse]

Oh here it is again! Same posts of 'pandering to muslims' blah blah blah. If you dont like it, dont eat it. If you think its barbaric, go see how humane non- halal meat is.....or is this just all about those pesky muslamics again!

[GoshAnneGorilla]

Yes, it's never about "meeting consumer demand", it's always "pandering to those diabolical Muslims who should know their place and be too busy genuflecting to the great British Public with gratitude at being allowed to live here (even if they are actually British themselves, let's not allow mere facts to be an impediment here) to even have time to eat food, let alone halal food" .

[Tavv]

88% of Halal slaughter in the UK involves pre-stunning.

Yes but that still leaves 12% that doesn't. And that's a lot of animals. I agree with the RSPCA that all animals should be pre-stunned.

[Tavv]

Those who think it's OK that religion is a good enough reason for exemption from this animal welfare standard that everyone else must adhere to, do you also think religion (whichever it may be) is an acceptable get-out clause for other laws of the land?

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

Tavv
I think there is a legitimate question to ask about the 12% but it wasn't clear from your original post that any pre-stunning took place at all. Its very different to be discussing the 12% that is currently not pre-stunned than a situation where no animals were pre-stunned or the myth that pre-stunning is not allowed.

The factual picture is that the vast majority of Halal meat slaughtered in this country is already pre-stunned.

[GoshAnneGorilla]

Tavv - has anyone here said anything like that, or do you just wish to smear Muslims and Jews as criminals?

Is there a reason why you think Muslims and Jews are more likely to be criminals?

Also, animal welfare standards are not the same as actual legislation. I'm sure plenty of people on this board eat food that isn't compliant with animal welfare standards. Do you accuse them of being criminals too?

Or is it just people perceived as being "foreign" and "pandered to" who face this line of questioning?

[OldSchoolMamma]

I hate the whole "I hate halal because its cruel" or when people go on about animals rights - you are going to eat it anyway! Unless your a vegetarian you're a hypocrite. YABU OP.

As long as it isn't dangerous for human consumption then I don't see the problem with it.

[HomeHelpMeGawd]

For the life of me, I never understand this line of reasoning. All that effort and thought and vitriol directed towards the final few moments of the animal's life...but little to no interest directed to the preceding months and years.

I am not convinced that stunning is pain-free.
And shechita (kosher slaughter) requires working very fast, an extremely sharp and nick-free knife, and a cut of both trachea and eosophagus in a single motion. And vegetarianism is considered more holy, too.

There is a clear description of shechita and its requirements here: www.shechitauk.org/fileadmin/user_upload/pdf/A_Guide_to_Shechita_2009_.pdf

[Bazoo23]

Unecessarily cruel, yes.
My daughter will never eat halal meat.

[OldSchoolMamma]

Bazoo - You are still eating animals! They are still slaughtered....still cooked and eaten so thats BS.

[worldcitizen]

HomeHelp I am pretty sure what you describe is the same for Muslim slaughter practice as well.

The idea behind it, is also not to slaughter/eat too much meat. Not more than necessary.
Saying prayers as in appreciating the animal/food/meat given to you, and also ask for a blessing for the animals soul.
Also the bleeding out has something to do with "letting the soul" out and to be able *to ascend" to heaven...

And yes, there have been awful threads about Muslims and muslim religious practices etc.

[Bazoo23]

Im still eating animals? Unlikely, I've been vegetarian for 15 years.

[Rudejude7]

I won't eat Halal or Kosher because of the cruelty involved in not stunning the animal before it is killed and really object to this type of meat being given to my DS in school . I have never heard of Halal or Kosher bacon though!

[OldSchoolMamma]

I said in an earlier post - people eating meat and going on about animal rights = hypocrite in my eyes. Unless your a veggie :)
I've actually started going off all meats because of the smell .
Bazoo are you bringing your DD up as a vegetarian?

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

RudeJude
Did you miss the posts that show that the vast majority of Halal meat slaughtered in the UK is pre-stunned? Please explain how pre-stunned Halal meat is more cruel than pre-stunned non Halal meat as I am struggling to see the difference?

[Bazoo23]

No I'm not just because I think she should have the choice herself when she is older, not have the choice made by me.
DP is a meat eater so DD never knows if the spag bol shes getting is Quorn or beef!

[picniclady]

Yanbu halal meat is appallingly cruel. Time for a boycott.

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

Picnic lady

Please justify that statement given that the vast majority of Halal meat slaughtered in the UK is pre-stunned.

[Bazoo23]

Its unecessary! Why does a live animal need to be tied upside down by its legs, get left to swing scared and helpless while a chant is performed, then get its throat slashed and left to bleed to death slowly.

Why on earth does that make the meat special?

[worldcitizen]

Some people and some threads on here sound exactly like people in Germany and across Europe pre-1933 (and after...).

[Bazoo23]

Look

A Muslim would be upset to accidentaly eat non halal meat.
The OP (non muslim) was upset to accidentally eat halal meat.

Why isnt that ok?

[Rudejude7]

Don't believe that the vast majority of Halal meat is pre- stunned. How exactly is Halal supposed to be pre- stunned anyway?

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

Check the RSPCA report linked to above that shows that c88% of Halal meat slaughtered in the UK is pre-stunned. Unless the RSPCA is lying? Animals do not have to be conscious for halal slaughter so any standard form of pre-stunning that doesn't kill the animal is acceptable.