Animals must be stunned prior to being killed in order for organic and kosher meat to be marketed with the official European Union ( EU ) organic label , the European Court of Justice has ruled . The Food Standards Agency (FSA) estimates about 88% of animals killed through halal methods are stunned beforehand using techniques acceptable in Islamic law. The judges found that organic labelling reflects the highest animal welfare standards , and that stunning is integral to these as it significantly reduces suffering . The UK ’s Food Standards Agency estimates that 88 % of animals killed under halal methods are stunned . However , a minority of halal – and all kosher – meat is produced without stunning . The case was brought by a French animal welfare association in France .
Animals must be stunned prior to being killed in order for organic and kosher meat to be marketed with the official European Union ( EU ) organic label , the European Court of Justice has ruled . The judges found that organic labelling reflects the highest animal welfare standards , and that stunning is integral to these as it significantly reduces suffering . The UK ’s Food Standards Agency estimates that 88 % of animals killed under halal methods are stunned . However , a minority of halal – and all kosher – meat is produced without stunning . The case was brought by a French animal welfare association in France .