Petition Require non-stunned and stunned meat to be labelled accordingly
We think it should be required that the labelling of non-stunned and stunned meat be clearly labelled throughout the food chain. This includes shops, supermarkets, suppliers, fast food and restaurants
More details
This would include labels on every product available to consumers
We think UK government should implement mandatory method of slaughter labelling for all meat products Stunned or Non-Stunned. For all industries linked to food, including but not limited to shops, supermarkets, schools, restaurants, fast food, cafes and suppliers
We think this promotes consumer choice, enhances transparency, especially for religion and ethics
We think no one should be forced to consume food which doesn't meet their ethical and religious choices, they should have the right to choose without prejudice
28,369 signatures
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100,000 signatures required to be considered for a debate in Parliament
Government responded
This response was given on 10 November 2025
Whilst there is no regulatory requirement for labelling of meat from animals slaughtered without stunning, any information of this nature must be accurate and must not be misleading to the consumer.
Read the response in full
The government encourages the highest standards of animal welfare at slaughter and would prefer all animals to be stunned before slaughter, but the government respects the rights of Jews and Muslims to eat meat prepared in accordance with their religious beliefs. The first national legislative requirement for stunning before slaughter was – in England and Wales – the Slaughter of Animals Act 1933. The Act also introduced an exception from the requirement to stun when animals are slaughtered in accordance with religious rites, for the food of Muslims and Jews.
Whilst currently there are no regulations that require the labelling of meat from animals slaughtered without stunning, where any information of this nature is provided it must be accurate and must not be misleading to the consumer. Additionally, major retailers have sourcing policies requiring that fresh meat comes from animals that have been stunned before slaughter. They may operate limited concessions for halal or kosher food that will be clearly labelled. Some farm assurance schemes, such as Red Tractor and RSPCA Assured, require stunning before slaughter.
A consultation on proposals to improve and extend current method of production labelling was undertaken last year by the previous government. The consultation sought views on options for the production standards behind the label, including the period of life which should be covered by the standards. The government’s response to this consultation is available on GOV.UK.
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/fairer-food-labelling
The government will consider the potential role of this labelling as part of the ongoing development of the government’s wider animal welfare strategy.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
At 100,000 signatures...
At 100,000 signatures, this petition will be considered for debate in Parliament
Related activity
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Petitions Committee requests a revised response from the Government
The Petitions Committee (the group of MPs who oversee the petitions system) has considered the Government’s response to this petition. They felt the response did not respond directly to the request of the petition. They have therefore asked the Government to provide a revised response.
When the Committee receives a revised response from the Government, we will publish this and share it with you.