Animal welfare: Qurbani/Udhia
Qurbani/Udhia
Important changes are now in effect concerning the welfare of animals at slaughter. These changes bring statute law1 into line with European Union legislation.
The law now permits Qurbani/Udhia to be made:
- by a licensed Muslim slaughterman
- by the Islamic method, and
- in a licensed slaughterhouse which is under official veterinary supervision.
Qurbani / Udhia is not permitted in fields or in farm buildings or in domestic or other premises .
Muslims who wish to make Qurbani / Udhia are encouraged to make arrangements with suppliers in good time before Eid-ul-Adha.
If you have any queries, please call the Defra Helpline on 08459 33 55 77.
This guidance is issued by Defra in consultation with the Joint Working Group of Departments and Muslim Organisations.
Halal Slaughter
Suppliers and consumers of halal meat are reminded that the statute law1 permits slaughter by the Islamic method to be done:
- by a licensed Muslim slaughterman, and
- in a licensed abbatoir or licensed poultry slaughterhouse which is under official veterinary supervision (or in other officially regulated poultry slaughterhouses)
Slaughter is not permitted in any other place, even for personal consumption.
Only cattle, sheep, goats, turkeys, chickens, hens, guinea-fowl, ducks, geese and quail may be slaughtered using the Islamic method.
If you have any queries, please call the Defra helpline on 08459 33 55 77.
This guidance is issued by Defra in consultation with the Joint Working Group of Departments and Muslim Organisations.
1 The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 (Statutory Instrument (SI) No 1995/731 as amended by SI No 1999/400).
Page last modified:
15 August, 2008
Page published: 5 August 2002