EU: Dutch press EU study on labeling meat produced without stunning

halal logoThe Netherlands is pressing the European Commission to expedite a study on the issue of labeling meat produced from animals slaughtered without stunning, according to a transcript of the latest meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council.
The Commission included a study into informing consumers about animal stunning in its list of planned actions 2012-2015 animal welfare strategy. The Dutch this month asked the Commission to speed up the process, as expressed by the European Parliament in a July 2012 resolution.
“We consider it essential to inform consumers correctly about the products they purchase,” the Dutch delegation wrote in a note to the EU. “This includes greater transparency about the slaughter method used.”
Some member states supported the request from the Netherlands, according to the meeting transcript. Other delegations noted it was still unclear to what extent EU consumers want such information, and that this study should include an evaluation of the economic impact such a measure would have on the meat sector.
The Commission noted that slaughter without stunning is only permitted under EU legislation in the context of slaughter prescribed by certain religious rites.
The results of the study, expected in April 2014, could form the basis for legal proposals that could be presented by the Commission.