UK Parliament to debate ban on non-stun slaughter, alarms Muslim communities

The British Parliament will debate a petition on June 9 calling for a ban on animal slaughter without stunning—an exception currently granted for halal and kosher practices.

The petition, signed by over 100,000 people, has sparked concern among Muslim and Jewish communities who say such a move would infringe on religious freedom.

While most meat in the UK, including halal, involves pre-stunning, a small portion of halal and all kosher meat is produced without it. Faith groups warn that even limited changes to this legal exemption could set a dangerous precedent for religious rights.

Groups like the Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC) say they are mobilizing to engage with lawmakers and inform Muslim communities across the country. The HMC has urged individuals to contact their local MPs and highlight the central role religious slaughter plays in their identity.

Experts emphasize that non-stun religious slaughter is carried out in licensed, tightly regulated facilities and meets existing animal welfare standards. Yet, activists fear the debate is being distorted by misinformation online, fueling Islamophobic and antisemitic narratives.

Rights groups are calling for calm, informed dialogue—and greater public participation. “This isn’t just about food,” one advocate said. “It’s about the right to live according to one’s faith.”