A farmer has said he’s finding it “hard to stomach” sending his animals off for non-stunned halal slaughter when “alternatives” are available, as the issue is debated by MPs. Mark Weekes, 60, a sheep farmer north of Exeter in Devon, told the Express when asked how he felt sending his lambs off to the abattoir, knowing they could be selected for non-stunned slaughter: “When we’ve cared for these animals for their entire lives and put blood sweat and tears into looking after them, many, many farmers don’t really want to think about that.

“We have to think about it, because it’s part of our business, and I do believe that, if any farmer has any chance to walk a abattoir production line, they should. Because it shows respect to those animals. But ultimately, I drop my lambs to slaughter, and it’s quite an emotional thing to do. So, moving on from there, it’s nice to think that they have the best death they can have. Which is probably what we’d all hope for, isn’t it? To have the best death we can have.”

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He then said that non-stunned halal is on the up, adding: “I completely understand and appreciate that halal slaughtered lamb is a massive, massive trade for UK sheep, and I completely understand and respect people’s want to have properly slaughtered halal meat.

“But, as far as I can tell, there are alternatives.

“Electronically stunned halal slaughtered is appropriate, and I just find it a little bit difficult to stomach when we’re putting so much love and welfare into these animals, that they can be non-stunned halal slaughtered when there are alternatives.

“I find that a little but difficult to accept.”

Halal slaughter requires a Muslim to use a sharp knife in one motion to kill the animal, which must be alive and healthy at the time.

Some animals killed for halal meat in the UK are stunned electrically before their throats are slit, known as “pre-stunned slaughter”, The Week reports.

The British Halal Food Authority approves low-voltage electrified water baths to stun poultry, and electric-tong stunning for sheep and goats.

But it is not thought appropriate to use methods of stunning, such as bolt guns, that can kill the animal.

There are certain firms that offer more choice as to where farmers’ animals are sent, Mr Weekes said, but “ultimately, once you’ve sold your animal to that business, it’s their animal, they do what they want to do with it”.

“What we need to have is a really sensible, grown-up conversation about it, and really drill into the pros and cons of both systems,” the farmer added.

“I’m fairly certain that most of the general public wouldn’t be comfortable with non-stunned slaughter.”

He also said: “I certainly don’t want to be jeopardising that trade. But I think we need to have a sensible conversation. It’s a difficult one. So much of it I think is about respect. Respect for those animals, respect for everybody’s beliefs.

“I think many, many farmers would potentially have the same thought processes as I’m going through. But, ultimately, we don’t want to upset anybody. I embrace everybody, it’s all about the welfare of those animals.”

Conservative shadow farming minister Robbie Moore was unwilling to provide his stance when talking to the Express on Friday.

He instead said: “I would be very interested to hear what primary producers have to say on this issue.”

“It’s a debate that needs to happen,” Mr Moore added.

An NFU spokesperson said: “UK farmers take animal welfare very seriously and care deeply about the way their animals are treated. We also respect everyone’s right to eat in accordance with their beliefs, within the boundaries of the law.

“We continue to engage with stakeholders, religious authorities and faith-consumers to understand the factors around all forms of halal slaughter.”

The Government said in response to a petition on the subject: “The Government encourages the highest standards of animal welfare at slaughter and would prefer all animals to be stunned before slaughter, but it respects the rights of Jews and Muslims to eat meat prepared in accordance with their religious beliefs.

“The Demonstration of Life Protocol, an industry-led initiative supported by the Government, provides assurance for Muslim consumers that stunning is compatible with halal slaughter requirements, while protecting the welfare of the animals involved. Therefore, a significant proportion of halal meat comes from animals that are stunned before slaughter.

“Legislation sets out the main requirements to protect the welfare of animals at slaughter. There are additional rules that apply when animals are slaughtered without stunning to ensure that animals are spared avoidable pain, suffering, or distress during the slaughter process.

“Official Veterinarians of the Food Standards Agency are present in all approved slaughterhouses to monitor and enforce these animal welfare requirements.”