A FILM illustrating different methods of sheep slaughter has been produced by AHDB Beef & Lamb to address a lack of understanding and dispel myths around the practice.
The educational film, which illustrates best practice for stun, post-cut stun and non-stun in religious slaughter, is aimed at increasing general understanding among a wider audience and informing debate on the topic. It is hoped it will clarify some misconceptions about Halal production.
Dr Phil Hadley, AHDB Beef & Lamb head of global supply chain development, said: "Normal practice in the UK is for animals to be stunned prior to slaughter, including stunned Halal. The current regulation regarding the slaughter of livestock expressly permits a derogation for the use of non-stun slaughter for religious rites and is therefore both a regulated and legal practice in England.
"However, we are aware that many public misconceptions persist. Halal, for example, does not mean non-stun per se. Food Standard Agency (FSA) data demonstrates that the majority of Halal slaughter is in fact stunned, a point often misunderstood. Stunned Halal adheres to the same animal welfare standards as products destined for the non-Halal market.
"Our film provides transparency and clarity on the subject and I would therefore encourage anyone with an interest in this field to use it as a key resource."
Market round-up
United Auctions sold 315 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to a top of 251.7p per kg and an average of 214.3p (-7.2p on the week), while 429 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 267.1p and levelled at 216.2p (-10.4p). Eighty-seven store, B&W bullocks sold to 195.7p and averaged 141.9p (-0.6p).
In the rough ring 105 beef cows sold to 193p and averaged 122.9p (-8.8p), while 10 dairy cows peaked at 125.7p and levelled at 99.3p (+6.5p).
C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 7 prime heifers in Dumfries on Wednesday to a top of 215.5p and an average of 208.3p.
There were 45 OTM cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows averaged 115.8p and dairy cows levelled at 100.3p.
The firm also sold 978 prime lambs to a top of £96.50 per head and 219p per kg to average 194.3p (-3.2p).
The 389 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £123.50 for Texels and average £72.09 (-47p), while light ewes peaked at £74.50 for Cheviots and levelled at £44.06 (-£1.16).
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 934 prime lambs in Newton Stewart on Wednesday to a top of £100.50 and 243.9p to average 199.5p (+5.3p).
The 141 cast sheep forward met a similar trade to last week with ewes selling to £89 for Suffolks and £69.50 for Lleyns.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here