The British government said it had \u201cno intention\u201d to ban the religious slaughtering of animals despite a petition that has attracted more than 100.000 backers, UK\u2019s Daily Mail reported Saturday.
\nTraditionally, for Muslims and Jews, slaughter practices involve animals having their throats slit and the blood drained because it is \u201chumane.\u201d
\nAnimals must be conscious when killed for the meat to be kosher under Jewish law and halal under Islamic law.
\nIn reaction to the minister’s the rejection, vets chief and president of British Veterinary Association (BVA) John Blackwell said that the ministers can\u2019t \u201cignore the strength of public feeling” and vowed to press for a fresh debate on the issue.
\n\u201cBVA has long argued that all animals should be stunned before slaughter to render them insensible to pain and we are delighted that the British public has got so firmly behind our campaign,\u201d Blackwell said.
\n\u201cConsumers value the high welfare of British produce and care deeply about the provenance of their food,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cBut under the current legislation meat from non-stun slaughter can end up in the food chain unlabeled as such, which is completely unacceptable,\u201d he added.
\nMeanwhile, other opponents to the announcement said in a petition that they respect the various faith traditions but insist animal welfare must take priority.
\n\u201cWe must differentiate between religious and non-stun slaughter. Our concern does not relate to religious belief but to the animal welfare compromise,’ it states,\u201d the petition said.
\n\u201cNon-stun slaughter affects millions of animals. We support a good life and a humane death for all animals,\u201d it said.
\nIn March, Blackwell had called for the outlaw of halal and kosher slaughter of animals.<\/p>\n