Animal Slaughtering

Wednesday, 3 December 2025

Questions (217, 218)

Robert Troy

Question:

217. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the practice of non-stun animal slaughter is permitted in Ireland in cases of religious slaughter. [68299/25]

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Robert Troy

Question:

218. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-stun slaughters which are permitted and carried out in Ireland annually on religious grounds. [68300/25]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 218 together.

Animal welfare at slaughter in the European Union is governed by Regulation 1099/2009 which is enforced under SI 292/2013 in Ireland. Article 4(4) of the Regulation allows for non-stun slaughter, in the case of certain religious rites. The implementation of these rules is closely monitored by my Department to ensure that slaughter under religious rites complies strictly with the Regulation.

My Department records the number of cattle and sheep slaughtered without pre-stunning on a quarterly basis. Table 1 contains the total number of cattle and sheep slaughtered without pre-stunning from 2020 to end of Q3 2025.

Table 1

Question No. 218 answered with Question No. 217.