Is There Really Such a Thing as Humane Animal Slaughter?

Why Slaughter Practices in the U.S. Need to Change

The failure to stun or otherwise render an animal painlessly unconscious before actually bleeding it, however, is a practice that I believe needs to be abolished — and not just for humane certification programs. It frankly shocks me to see that it's on their “allowed” lists.

In fact, last month the British Veterinary Association’s former president went on record to strongly suggest that the practice of bleeding animals — as is undertaken for religious reasons in most cases — should be banned or at least seriously curtailed.

At issue is the fact that U.K. and EU laws state that animals may be slaughtered in this manner, but only if it doesn’t lead to “unnecessary suffering.” And since veterinary science is beginning to believe strongly that it does, then perhaps it's time to amend these permissive laws.

The issue is fraught, not least because singling out slaughter methods required by religious doctrine is politically tricky. But the problem in the U.K. partly stems from the fact that this mode of slaughter is less expensive, so it’s feared that it’s being adopted by those who don't slaughter in this manner for religious principle but rather for a boost in profitability — at the expense of humane treatment.

Vegans and vegetarians still reading this post are likely to feel as if their heads are going to explode. If nothing else, I’ll be fielding some understandably self-righteous commentary on the subject.

Even if you didn’t think so before reading this post, it should be clear now that eating meat comes at a price — even when you buy what you currently think of as “humane.”

Check out more opinion pieces on Vetstreet.