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ASDA Pushes for Less Cruel Slaughter Method

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None of us like the idea of chickens and turkeys being killed for food, and you can bet the chickens and turkeys like it even less! But while animals are being killed for food, we owe it to them to at least try and make their deaths as gentle as possible.

Now, following months of working with PETA, supermarket giant ASDA is pushing its poultry suppliers toward a less-cruel slaughter method.

ASDA, the second largest supermarket chain in the UK, has announced that it will give purchasing preference to chicken and turkey suppliers using controlled-atmosphere killing (CAK), the least-cruel form of slaughter ever developed.

In a letter sent to all ASDA poultry suppliers, David Mainon, ASDA’s senior technical manager for meat and poultry, recently wrote: “Following a review of slaughtering methods employed within the poultry industry, we have now decided to recommend that all our poultry suppliers switch to Controlled Atmosphere Killing… We expect those suppliers who do not currently have controlled atmosphere killing to instigate plans to convert their current system.”

When ASDA’s suppliers switch, it will mean a world of difference for birds. Currently, most birds killed for the UK poultry industry are dumped onto conveyor belts and hung upside-down by their legs in metal shackles, which often results in broken bones. Some may have their throats cut open while still conscious, and some may be scalded to death in tanks of hot water. But with CAK – which works by replacing the oxygen birds breathe with inert gasses (like argon and nitrogen) to gently put them “to sleep” – those abuses are eliminated. Sure, it still sucks that the birds die (and trust me we’re working on that too) but this is a much better way to go.

Bravo, ASDA! Now let’s see the other supermarkets follow your lead…

Image: UConn / CC

Tags: ASDA, chicken, turkey, vegetarian

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posted by Ultimate Warrior on August 18th, 2008 at 4:00 pm

Chicken sh** is commonly referred to as cack, how apt..

What does this mean in real terms though?

posted by caitlin r on August 19th, 2008 at 11:55 am

In real terms, it means that millions of chickens won’t have their wings and legs broken while they are still able to feel the pain. That’s a huge step forward in a world that resists going vegan, even veg, at once.

posted by Susan Brown on August 19th, 2008 at 7:33 pm

Well done ASDA, its about time people thought about the pain these animals face in there last moments.

posted by Nicola on August 20th, 2008 at 6:43 pm

Asda were recently caught selling real fur cat toys so maybe they’re hoping this will improve their reputation?

posted by Arlane Eggleden on August 29th, 2008 at 10:35 am

Well done Asda for I hope starting a trend for other supermarkets. But why have you started supplying Halal meat which is totally alien to our methods?

posted by susan korths on August 29th, 2008 at 11:12 am

thank`s to ASDA, to join the CAK way, but it still means killing animals. The best way would be to live vegan.

http://susan

posted by nicola m on August 29th, 2008 at 3:31 pm

well done to asda, but as someone has also said i was disgusted seeing halal products in my asda and we all need to complain and get it removed.

posted by sylvia pemberton on August 29th, 2008 at 5:56 pm

I don’t think we will ever stop the slaughter of chickens for food therefore it is a big step to try to have it done as “humanely” as possible. The horror stories that come out of some slaughter plants is appalling!!!

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posted by Jayne Grinstead on August 30th, 2008 at 3:49 pm

Well done Asda. The least meat eaters can do is ensure the animal is killed as humanely as possible. Now I would like to see Halal meat banned from your shelves.

posted by Lesley Robinson (Mrs) on August 30th, 2008 at 7:03 pm

If I EVER see halal meat in my local supermarkets I will personally take the whole lot and dump it out on the pavement. I’ll not stand for any of this muslim rubbish where I live. Same with “kosher” Jewish slaughter. It’s about time we English people began standing up for animals AND for ourselves. We take everything on the chin and never fight back. Well, I’ve bloody well had enough from all the foreigners coming here and stamping their feet. They can all go home.

posted by susanna stanzani on September 1st, 2008 at 6:54 am

I would like that animals I meat will bi lkìkilles ad human is possible. please do it

posted by Adi on September 5th, 2008 at 3:34 pm

In response to those of you who have concerns regarding the slaughter of animals the Halal way, can I first of all please advise you to educate yourselves an research the method in which the animals are slaughtered, before you make up your opinions.

As you will then realise that it is in fact the most humane way to slaughter an animal.

In the stunning process the animal is shocked with either electricity or a bullet and is not completely dead, therefore it still remains alive when the knifing is carried out. This in turn puts more pressure on the animal as it struggles first of to deal with the shock then the knifing.

In the Islamic slaughter the animal is cut through the jugular vein with a sharp knife and its life ended immediately. Now you tell me which is more humane..???

posted by natasha on October 29th, 2008 at 6:38 pm

WOW! I never knew we had soooo many small minded, uneducated people in our country. Animals slaughtered the halal way is the best way as the animal dies almost instantly when the vein is cut. I dont think people have a problem with halal meat in stores at Asda but that they have serious issues with racism. (educate yourselves please) I also think that we should have Kosher products too. For those people posting comments like some of the ones i read please dont emmbarass us as a nation, thank you very much.

ASDA Pushes for Less Cruel Slaughter Method

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