A European Union ruling earlier this week has voted in favour of protecting Muslim (dhabiha) methods of slaughtering animals. The slaughtering method will not have to involve stunning the animal before slaughter under the ruling.

The new EU rules require all slaughter techniques to make sure animals do not suffer "any avoidable distress or pain", but they make an explicit exception for "cultural traditions and religious rites".

It means there will now be a requirement for Halal food to be traded and sold freely in every EU state.

Fhuja Shafi, chair of the food standards committee at the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said: "This is a human rights issue in terms of our ability to practise our religion. It's a very humane method of slaughter. The incision with a very sharp knife produces a fast death and we see no problem with it."

In a last ditch attempt to stop this legislation being passed, the NSS requested a meeting with Hilary Benn, environment secretary, but the group said he rejected the offer.

In a statement, the department said it would not change its "long-standing policy of religious tolerance" by ending the opt-out.

"While the government would prefer to see all animals stunned before slaughter, we will continue to ensure that required standards of animal welfare are effectively monitored and enforced in all slaughterhouses," the statement read.

The ruling, which took place last Monday, also contains measures welcomed by animal rights activists.

Slaughterhouses will also have to appoint a specific individual with responsibility for animal welfare and ensure all staff are properly trained and certified.

The efficiency of stunning techniques will be regularly monitored, killing will only be allowed when carried out by properly trained and certified personnels, and animal welfare will be taken into account in the design of slaughterhouses.

"We have a duty to take care of animals. Their welfare is crucial, not only for ethical reasons but also to ensure animal health and the quality of food," EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said in a statement.

Article From Politics.co.uk