The Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC) welcomes the UK Government’s decision to uphold the current legal protections for religious slaughter, following a debate held on Monday 9th June 2025 in Parliament. The debate was triggered by a petition that called for a ban on non-stun slaughter which gained over 109,000 signatures.
Representatives from HMC who were in attendance at the debate as observers, were reassured by the government’s clear position, articulated by Daniel Zeichner MP, Minister for Rural Affairs, that religious communities will continue to be allowed to practise their method of slaughter in accordance with their faith. The Minister confirmed that while the government prefers animals to be stunned prior to slaughter, it fully respects the rights of Muslims and Jews to prepare food in line with their religious beliefs. These rights have been protected in UK legislation since the Slaughter of Animals Act 1933 and remain an important expression of religious freedom.
Importantly, the majority of parliamentarians who contributed to the debate voiced support for these freedoms. MPs from across party lines recognised the harmful and unbalanced narrative that often unfairly targets the Muslim community and Halal practices under the pretext of animal welfare.
The debate highlighted the recognition that animal welfare must be looked at holistically, from the conditions animals are raised in, to their transport and handling, right through to the point of slaughter. Animal welfare is not the sole preserve of one method of slaughter, but a collective responsibility that must be continuously improved across the board.
As HMC, we reaffirm our commitment to working constructively with government, regulators, and faith communities to support improvements in animal welfare, while preserving the fundamental right to religious practice. We also advocate for greater transparency and clearer labelling of meat products, allowing consumers to make informed choices. Although 88% of Halal meat in the UK is currently pre-stunned, independent research shows that over 70% of British Muslims prefer non-stunned Halal meat — a clear disparity that must be addressed through honest labelling and better industry standards.
The outcome of this debate is a welcome reminder of the UK’s long-standing commitment to religious freedom, balanced policymaking, and the importance of resisting divisive and discriminatory narratives. HMC will continue to defend the rights of our community, promote ethical standards, and work collaboratively for a future that protects both faith and animal welfare.
Finally, we would like sincerely thank all the parliamentarians who attended the debate and spoke in favour of religious freedom and the protection of non-stunned slaughter.
———————————————————————
HMC is the UK’s largest Halal certifying body, employing over 220 people. Last month alone, HMC staff spent 12,000 hours to ensure your food is genuinely Halal with 13,000 visits made to outlets nationwide. It is a registered charity and also a not for profit organisation. It is overseen by a voluntary body, the National Executive Committee that consists of mainly scholars who are the Trustees of the organisation. HMC has been set up to work in the favour of all Muslims and the consumer at large. HMC aims to regulate and at every point inspect Halal products from source to the consumer. HMC is committed to serving the Muslims and the wider community and it intends to provide peace of mind and security where required.
