A POLITICIAN is campaigning to ensure all meat products are adorned with labels detailing the method of slaughter used during the animal’s killing.

Clacton MP Giles Watling has tabled an amendment to the Agriculture Bill asking for mandatory labels to be created for meat products.

Mr Watling wants consumers to know how the animal, whose meat they will be eating, was slaughtered and whether or not they were stunned in the process.

It is hoped the added clarity will ensure meat-eaters only purchase products which were prepared in a way that they agree with.

In 2018, for example, Government statistics revealed millions of animals are slaughtered each year in the UK without being stunned.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

Mr Watling says more than 72 per cent of people want to know how their meat is prepared and thousands want non-stun slaughter to be eradicated.

The MP’s amendment is also already said to be supported by a group of 22 colleagues from across the political spectrum.

“I believe the consumer is now incredibly conscious of animal welfare at the point of slaughter, as I am myself,” he added.

“My intention is to make use of the concern and, through labels, ensure consumers can always make an informed choice about products they are buying.

“I also believe this change will engender a better knowledge culture of slaughter methods amongst consumers.

“This will enable consumers to choose products that were prepared in a way that they agree with.”

Current law requires animals to be stunned, so they are insensible to pain until death, however exemptions are permitted for religious purposes.

Many different religious communities, for example, prepare their meat in a way that sees animals slaughtered without first being stunned.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

Mr Watling, however, has stressed his campaign is purely to ensure customers can knowingly choose between stunned and non-stunned meat.

He said: “I fully recognise my proposal may cause concern for some religious communities but I would argue my proposal suits all parties.

“I would like to assure all faith communities they will always be able to source meat products meeting their specifications - I’d never want to change that.

“But the consumer has a right to know whether the products they are buying were prepared in a way they may consider inhumane.

“Religiously slaughtered meat will still be available, and mainstream consumers will have information to prevent them buying products they do not agree with.

“Consumers should not have to forgo their animal welfare concerns for want of a simple label.”