Non-stun slaughter in the UK: what it means for animal welfare

It’s uncomfortable, and many of us would rather not think about what happens behind slaughterhouse doors.

But as a farmed animal welfare scientist, I know it’s a vital part of the conversation about food and farming.

In the UK, most animals are stunned before slaughter so they’re unconscious and don’t feel pain.

Sadly, not all are. Some animals are killed while still fully conscious in what’s known as non-stun slaughter – and that raises serious concerns for animal welfare.

What is non-stun slaughter?

UK law says farmed animals must be stunned before slaughter.

Stunning is widely recognised as the most humane method available because it ensures animals are unconscious and don’t suffer at the point of death.

But there’s an exception. Some animals can be killed without stunning if it’s carried out according to religious rites. This is what’s known as non-stun slaughter.

That means while the majority of farmed animals in the UK are stunned, millions aren’t – and they remain fully conscious during the killing process.

Why does non-stun slaughter happen?

The exemption in UK law applies to Islam and Judaism, which both have deeply rooted traditions around how animals should be slaughtered.

Halal

Halal means ‘permissible’ in Arabic. For meat to be halal, conditions include:

• A Muslim must carry out the slaughter
• The animal must be alive and healthy at the point of slaughter
• A religious dedication (called tasmiya or shahada) must be spoken.

Importantly, many Muslims accept pre-stunning – provided it’s reversible and doesn’t kill the animal.

In fact, around 88% of halal meat in the UK comes from animals that were pre-stunned.

Kosher

Kosher means ‘fit’ or ‘pure’ in Hebrew. For meat to be kosher, animals must be slaughtered using shechita, a method with strict requirements:

• The animal must be healthy and uninjured
• The slaughter must be carried out by a trained Schochet (religious slaughterer)
• A razor-sharp knife (chalaf) is used to make the cut.

Under kosher rules, animals can’t be stunned before slaughter. If they are, the meat is no longer kosher.

How many animals are killed without stunning?

According to the Food Standards Agency (2024), an estimated 30.1 million animals were expected to be slaughtered without pre-stunning in 2024.

This includes:

• 3.1 million sheep
• 26.7 million meat chickens
• 35,000 cattle

As someone who has dedicated my career to improving farmed animal welfare, these figures trouble me deeply.

Every one of those animals is an individual, capable of feeling fear and suffering.

Our position on stunning

At RSPCA Assured and the RSPCA, we believe all farmed animals deserve to be treated with care, compassion and respect.

That’s why 100% of animals reared on RSPCA Assured-certified farms are stunned before slaughter.

Stunning makes sure animals are unconscious before their lives end, sparing them unnecessary pain and distress.

I also want to be clear that we respect the importance of cultural and religious traditions.

But we believe it’s possible to respect faith while protecting animal welfare.

Ensuring animals are stunned before slaughter is, in our view, the most compassionate and humane way forward.

How you can help

As a shopper, you play a vital role in shaping a better future for farmed animals.

By choosing products with the RSPCA Assured label, you’re supporting higher welfare standards across the food and farming industry, including humane slaughter.

It’s a small decision that makes a big difference.

Every time you buy RSPCA Assured products, you’re helping to build a food system where animals are treated with compassion throughout their lives.

Together, we can work towards a future where all animals are spared unnecessary suffering at slaughter – and are given the respect they truly deserve.

Frequently asked questions

Is non-stun slaughter legal in the UK?

Yes. While UK law requires animals to be stunned before slaughter, there are exemptions for meat prepared according to certain religious rites, such as halal and kosher.

Is halal meat always from non-stun slaughter?

No. In fact, around 88% of halal meat in the UK comes from animals that were pre-stunned in a way that’s acceptable under halal rules.

Why is stunning before slaughter important for animal welfare?

Stunning makes sure animals are unconscious before their lives end. This prevents unnecessary pain and distress, ensuring animals are treated with care and compassion at the end of their lives.