The vast majority of British vets believe consumers need to be better informed about slaughter methods and welfare at slaughter according to survey results released by the British Veterinary Association (BVA).
Released ahead of today’s UK parliamentary debate on meat slaughtered in accordance with religious rites, the BVA survey revealed that 94% of vets believe UK consumers of meat and fish should be better informed about slaughter methods. At the same time, just 11% of vets believe the public understands the difference between stunned and non-stunned slaughter.
“Vets’ commitment to the welfare of all animals throughout their lives, up to and including death, is clearly reflected in the latest findings from the survey,” said BVA president John Blackwell, pointing out that 97% of vets would choose to buy meat and fish that has been stunned before slaughter to render the animal insensible to pain.
“But there is much more to be done to educate the general public about welfare at slaughter. We know that UK consumers care about animal welfare but our members believe that there needs to be better understanding about methods of slaughter and how that impacts on welfare.”
The president also backed the use of labelling to “clearly explain” the method of slaughter used for the meat product concerned, allowing all consumers to make “informed choices” when buying meat.