They die of loss of blood, but campaigners want them stunned first

2.4million sheep and goats had throats cut for halal or kosher meat

More animals are being slaughtered by having their throats cut because of increased pressure from Muslim campaigners, it emerged last night.

Some 2.4 million sheep and goats were put to death using the religious method in halal and kosher abattoirs in one year – a rise of 60 per cent.

According to analysis by the British Veterinary Association, some 37 per cent of sheep and goats, 25 per cent of cattle and 16 per cent of poultry were killed in this way in halal premises.

Increase: There has been a rise of 60 per cent in animals having their throats cut for religious slaughter

Under the method, the animals’ throats are cut so they die from loss of blood.

But campaigners say it would be kinder if the animals are stunned first.

BVA president John Blackwell said the method ‘unnecessarily compromises animal welfare at the time of death’ and its petition calling for a ban on non-stun slaughter last night had more than 100,000 signatures.

Mr Blackwell said it showed the strength of public opinion on the issue and called for a debate in Parliament.

But Awal Fuseini, of the Halal Food Authority, said the increase in non-stun slaughter was due to ‘stronger campaigning’ by Muslims who wrongly believed that stunning killed the animals, The Times reported.

He said Muslims needed to be sure animals could recover from being stunned, but said: ‘It is illegal to do a trial in the UK without a licence and it takes forever to get a licence.

Slaughterhouse: Sheep carcases hang on hooks at a halal slaughterhouse in Birmingham

‘If we are given the backing to do the trial then we can prove to people that whatever information they have that stunning kills animals is not true.’ A Food Standards Agency survey in 2011, which covered a greater number of slaughterhouses, found 19 per cent of sheep and goats, 16 per cent of cattle and 12 per cent of poultry were killed without being stunned in halal abattoirs.

The agency said the latest survey results, from 2013, were not directly comparable. A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: ‘The Government has no intention of banning religious slaughter.

‘The Government would prefer animals to be stunned before slaughter, but we respect the rights of Jewish and Muslim communities to eat meat in accordance with their beliefs.’