Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 February 2026
265. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to clarify if non-stun slaughter is permitted in Ireland; and if so, the circumstances; and his plans to ban non-stun slaughter outright in Ireland. [10893/26]
View answerThe legislative protection of animals at the time of slaughter is provided for under EU Regulation 1099/2009. Article 4 of that regulation specifies that animals shall only be killed after stunning in accordance with the methods and specific requirements detailed in the annexes to the regulation. However, non-stun slaughter is permitted in the EU, and in Ireland, by a derogation provided for in the same Article 4 of the Regulation in the case of animals subject to particular methods of slaughter prescribed by religious rites provided that the slaughter takes place in a slaughterhouse.
My Department continues to keep all animal welfare legislation under review.
