Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 December 2025
210. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of cattle and sheep slaughtered annually in Ireland under Halal certification without pre-stunning; the names of the companies licensed to carry out this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68190/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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.
My Department does not certify or licence meat slaughtered in approved establishments as halal. Food businesses may only apply a halal label to meat which has been certified as halal by a halal certifying body.
In regard to non-stun slaughter in meat establishments approved by my Department, Article 4(4) of Regulation (EC) No. 1099/2009 on the Protection of Animals at the Time of Killing provides for a derogation, in the case of slaughter prescribed by religious rites, from the usual requirement for animals to be stunned before slaughter. Statutory Instrument No. 292 of 2013 gives effect to the Regulation. In order to avail of this derogation, Food Business Operators are required to obtain approval and demonstrate compliance with Regulation (EC) No. 1099/2009.
