Halal ban debated today!

When over 109,000 people signed an on-line petition to have the issue of Halal/Non Stun slaughter of animals debated, it was inevitable that this would have to take place. So, later on today, Parliament is debating a petition in Westminster Hall calling for a ban on non-stun slaughter, which includes halal and kosher practices.

The petition, entitled “Ban non-stun slaughter in the UK,” cites animal welfare concerns and describes non-stun slaughter as “barbaric” and misaligned with “modern British values.” I entirely agree with this and it was good to see Rupert Lowe MP speaking up so clearly in favour a total ban on this savagery.

I want to see it ALL banned.

In Halal, the animal must be slaughtered in a specific way, typically by a Muslim, with a sharp knife cutting the jugular vein, carotid artery, and windpipe in a single swipe. Animals must be alive and healthy at the time of slaughter and all blood is drained from the carcass. During the process, a Muslim will recite a dedication, know as tasmiya or shahada.

The BBC informs us that stunning cannot be used to kill an animal, according to the Halal Food Authority, a non-profit organisation that monitors adherence to halal principles. But it can be used if the animal survives and is then killed by halal methods, the HFA adds. How nice.

Of course this barbaric practice must end. It is savage in ways I can hardly conceive. But there will be no vote on thIS issue and so this is, at best, a talking shop but I am glad the issue is being aired.

We have to recognise that the Labour Government is fully in thrall to the core Muslim vote which insists that Halal is an essential part of their religion life. Banning non-stun slaughter halal is presented as invasion on their religious freedom. I see it as a removal of their cruelty.

Rupert Lowe MP, himself a farmer, argues that non-stun slaughter causes unnecessary pain and that this is supported by scientific studies. Lowe, who will speak in favor of the ban, has called halal slaughter “disgustingly cruel.”

It is. And the only thing worse than that is the bunch of cowards who sit in Parliament and who KNOW it is cruel but stay silent and refuse to act lest it offend their Muslim constituents.

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