Government to ask for views on religious slaughter in labelling consultation

“This is the moment to have these difficult conversations.”

Ms Prentis also confirmed the UK Government would be looking at the New Zealand system of partial stunning for halal slaughter.

Many Muslim communities have accepted this method of slaughter, because abattoirs can demonstrate animals recover from electrical stunning.

Defra Secretary George Eustice is known to want to do more to tackle non-stun religious slaughter, citing his failure to do so in the brief time he was outside the department as one of his chief regrets.

Environmental

Other issues that will be covered in later, separate consultations include carbon capture and environmental labelling.

Ms Prentis said: “Some have suggested we move towards a traffic-light system as one being easier for consumers to understand.

“This will be very complex to bring in, and I do not see us being in a position to consult on that until early next year, at the earliest, truthfully.

“But it is definitely an ambition of mine. The more information we can give to consumers, the better.”