We want pre slaughter stunning in every abattoir in Australia.

It is shocking to learn that due to a very small demand in Australia, a number of abattoirs have been granted an exemption to perform ritual slaughter (without use of pre-slaughter stunning). There is available scientific evidence that animals that are not stunned before slaughter suffer significantly prolonged and painful deaths. Reports state that killing without prior stunning causes "panic and terror" related to restraint required during %u201Csticking%u201D and consciousness for up to 20 seconds after having their throats cut. Despite this the government has failed to stop this practice continuing.


http://www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/welfare/aaws/specifying_the_risks_to_animal_welfare_associated_with_livestock_slaughter_without_induced_insensibility
http://www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/welfare/aaws/a_scientific_comment_on_the_welfare_of_sheep_slaughtered_without_stunning


It is inconceivable that this has been permitted in direct contradiction to animal welfare standards for humane slaughter and that these changes to meat production have been kept secret from the Australian public. Australian culture is quickly growing in awareness and sensitivity to animal cruelty, with higher welfare products becoming much more dominant on supermarket shelves. Removing requirements for pre-slaughter stunning is a direct affront to efforts by consumers, who use their purchasing power to advocate for better conditions for farm animals, and puts animal slaughter standards back decades.


The majority of the Middle East has shown to be prepared to accept halal meat where the animals have been stunned, so it is absolutely appalling that the Federal government has acted so deceitfully towards the Australian public.

Princess Alia of Jordan was reported in 2009 to have written to Prime Minister Rudd and appealed for him to intervene to ensure that Australia does not allow non-stun slaughter, the Princess explaining that the ethical treatment of animals is a key tenet of Islamic teachings and stunning of animals before slaughter is accepted. She also stated that approving non-stunned slaughter could impact on efforts to have stunning more broadly accepted in the Middle East, and yet despite this, the Australian government has failed to stop the practice continuing.

Considering possible future repercussions for untold animals in Australia and abroad, we the undersigned call for:

1. Withdraw exemptions for the slaughter of animals without prior stunning to meet export markets - continuing to allow the export of meat from animals that have not been stunned undermines a successful export industry.

2. Withdraw exemptions for the slaughter of animals without prior stunning for domestic consumption.

Thankyou for your consideration in this matter.