A Jewish campaign group has said labelling meat 'stunned' or 'non-stunned' is "dishonest" and "misleading" for consumers.
A parliamentary group has discussed proposals to introduce method of slaughter labelling for meat products.
The round table discussion at the All Party Parliamentary Group on Animal Welfare discussed the matter on Monday (27 February).
It follows news of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) saying any meat from non-stun slaughter should be "clearly labelled" to enable consumers to be an "informed choice".
However, Shimon Cohen, Campaign Direction for campaign group ShechitaUK, which seeks to educate people about Jewish religious slaughtering, said it is neither "correct nor sufficient" to label meat 'stunned' or 'non-stunned'.
He said: “Our long-standing position has been, that if there is demand, consumers should have every right to know what they are eating.
“However, it is neither correct nor sufficient for meat to be labelled as ‘stunned’ or ‘non-stunned’ as it would be dishonest to mislead the consumer into believing that mechanical stunning is some kind of therapeutic, calm, relaxing, medicinal process which gently sends the animal into a woozy state of unconsciousness.
“Mechanical stunning processes are aggressive invasive actions, designed to speed up the factories’ slaughter processes, with dubious welfare claims attached.”
Mr Cohen said ShechitaUK are "encouraged" that labelling discussions have now moved on to "open, honest and comprehensive" method of slaughter labelling.
He said these would ensure that consumers know whether their meat has been mechanically stunned by asphyxiation by gas, Low Atmospheric Pressure Stunning (LAPS), electrocution by tongs or electric water-bath or shooting with a captive bolt gun into the brain; or indeed Shechita.
Mr Cohen added: "We hope that all involved will continue working with religious communities in a respectful manner, to ensure that any labelling gives the consumer a full understanding of every stage of the slaughter process."
