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'Draft Scottish Executive Response to recommendations contained in the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) Report on the Welfare of Animals at Slaughter (Red-meat Animals)': Analysis of responses to Consultation
Introduction
The Farm Animal Welfare Council (the UK and devolved Government's independent advisory body on animal welfare matters) published a report on the welfare of red meat animals at slaughter and killing on 10
th June 2003. After review and consideration, the Scottish Executive produced a consultation document: "Draft Response to the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) Report on the Welfare of Animals at Slaughter (Red - Meat Animals)". Over 348 consultation letters were issued on Thursday 8 April 2004, not only to the industry, but also to religious, welfare, veterinary and consumer groups. This was because some of the recommendations in the FAWC report related to the issue of slaughter without pre-stunning of animals (religious slaughter) which is permitted under EU and domestic legislation.
However, only 15 responses were received by the closing date of 2
nd July 2004. A list of the respondents can be found in Annex A. Of these respondents: 1 requested that their response be kept confidential; 3 did not fill in the Respondee Information Form (and, therefore, were considered public); and 5 made a Nil response, or nearly so.
Based on the replies the reaction to the consultation was generally positive. The acceptance of FAWC recommendations was seen as a step forward in improving animal welfare; and where there was a partial acceptance by the SE, this was generally seen as reasonable. Specific references to recommendations were usually made when the SE had not accepted, or only partially accepted a FAWC recommendation. The Executive will give careful consideration to the comments received when considering revisions to the existing welfare code and possible changes to the existing legislation. Listed below is a summary of the responses received to individual recommendations.
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