article_snippet: The petition - which backs calls by the RSPCA, the British Veterinary Association (BVA), the Farm Animal Welfare Committee, the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe and the Humane Slaughter Association - points out that more than 80% of halal meat in the UK is pre-stunned. '
article_snippet: Non-stun slaughter affects millions of animals.
article_snippet: BVA has long argued that all animals should be stunned before slaughter to render slaughter insensible to pain and we are delighted that the British public has got so firmly behind we campaign. '
article_snippet: Scientific evidence tells us that non-stun slaughter allows the animal to perceive pain and compromises animal welfare.
article_snippet: Existing rules require that where stunning is used it must be sufficient to make the animal unconscious and insensible to pain without causing unnecessary pain, suffering or distress.'