Beef, Chicken, Lamb, Provenance, Turkey

Our Commitment to Animal Welfare & Transparent Sourcing

Customers increasingly want to know exactly how their meat is sourced and how animals are treated before it reaches their plate. At Eric Lyons, every animal we source is stunned before slaughter. We use pre-stunning and non-reversible stunning methods wherever possible, in full compliance with UK animal welfare legislation. Our meat is not certified for any religious dietary requirements— including halal or kosher. This guide explains our standards clearly, so you can make an informed decision about where you buy your meat.

Eric Lyons Lamb Displayed

Our Animal Welfare Standards: Pre-Stunning & Humane Processing

Our core commitment is simple: every animal in our supply chain is stunned before slaughter. At every abattoir we work with, animals are either:

  • Humanely pre-stunned, ensuring they are fully unconscious before slaughter, or
  • Instantly dispatched via a captive bolt system that causes immediate loss of consciousness

Wherever possible, we specifically prioritise non-reversible stunning which is widely recognised as the gold standard in humane slaughter. This ensures instant, irreversible unconsciousness, no pain or awareness at the point of slaughter, and consistent high-welfare outcomes across all species.

These methods comply with UK Government guidance on the welfare of animals at the time of killing, published by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)) which sets out the legal requirements for minimising pain, distress and suffering at every stage of the slaughter process. Pre-stunning is also the method advocated by the RSPCA as the most humane approach to slaughter. It is the standard we hold ourselves to. Stress-free handling and humane slaughter directly improve tenderness and flavour.

What This Means for Religious Dietary Requirements

Because we require mandatory pre-stunning across our entire supply chain, our meat is not suitable for halal or kosher dietary requirements. Both halal and kosher certification typically require slaughter without prior stunning, or under specific religious conditions we do not apply. This is a consequence of our welfare standards, not a separate policy — and we’d encourage anyone who requires certified halal or kosher meat to seek a specialist supplier who can properly meet those needs.

Eric Lyons Family

A Brief Note on Slaughter Methods in the UK

UK abattoirs operate under different specifications depending on the markets they serve. The main methods in use are:

  • Pre-stunning (non-reversible): The animal is rendered permanently unconscious before slaughter. This is the method we require and prioritise.
  • Pre-stunning (reversible): The animal is stunned before slaughter, but the stun could theoretically wear off. Some halal-certified meat is produced this way.
  • Non-stun slaughter: The animal is slaughtered while conscious. This is permitted in the UK as a religious exemption for halal and kosher production. We do not buy from abattoirs carrying out non-stun slaughter. (See the UK Government’s official guidance on slaughter without stunning.)

Our Sourcing Standards: British, Welfare-Led & Traceable

We work primarily with British farms and processors who share our commitment to high animal welfare. (Note: our bacon is sourced from trusted Danish suppliers — you can read more about that here.)

Local & Traceable Sourcing

  • We prioritise British farmers and short supply chains, keeping food miles low for customers across Solihull, the West Midlands, and beyond
  • Every product can be traced back to its farm of origin
  • We maintain long-standing relationships with suppliers who consistently meet our standards

Rigorous Welfare Oversight

  • All farms and abattoirs undergo regular inspections
  • Compliance with UK animal welfare legislation is mandatory for all our suppliers
  • We visit facilities in person to verify standards firsthand because welfare commitments only mean something when you check them

Quality Through Care

  • Animals raised in appropriate, low-stress conditions produce better meat — scientifically as well as ethically
  • Humane handling and slaughter improve tenderness and flavour
  • Our reputation as one of the West Midlands’ most trusted butchers depends on this consistency

We’ll be sharing more about our individual farm partners soon, including farm names, locations, and how far they are from our shops in Knowle and across Solihull.

Lamb Cuts

Why Customers Across Solihull & the West Midlands Choose Eric Lyons

Whether you’re searching for a pre-stunned butcher near you, a non-halal butcher in Solihull, or simply a trusted local butcher in the West Midlands who is transparent about sourcing, here’s what we offer. With shops in Knowle, Bentley Heath, Balsall Common, and Warwick Garden Centre, we serve customers across Solihull, Birmingham, and Warwickshire who want to know exactly what they’re buying:

  • Fully stunned, high-welfare British meat across all species
  • Non-reversible stunning prioritised wherever possible
  • No non-stun slaughter — ever
  • Meat not certified for halal or kosher dietary requirements
  • Expert butchery from our shops in Knowle, Bentley Heath, Balsall Common, and Warwick Garden Centre
  • Complete traceability back to farm of origin
  • Honest, clear information 

Our policy is straightforward: if it doesn’t meet our welfare and quality standards, we don’t buy it.

Nationwide Delivery Available

Can’t get to one of our shops? Whether you’re local to Solihull or anywhere else in the UK, you can order our high-welfare British meat online and have it delivered straight to your door.

  • Fast nationwide delivery
  • Eco-friendly insulated packaging
  • Easy online ordering
  • Full range of cuts, meat boxes, and seasonal products available

Our Promise to You

At Eric Lyons, we remain committed to offering exceptional British meat, sourced responsibly and processed under the strictest welfare standards. We believe every customer deserves clear, honest information; whether you’re a welfare-conscious shopper, someone with specific dietary requirements, or simply someone who wants to know exactly what they’re buying.

If you have any questions about our sourcing or practices, our team is always happy to help — in-store at Knowle, Bentley Heath, Balsall Common, or Warwick Garden Centre, by phone, or online.

Eric Lyons Mooo

Frequently Asked Questions:

Yes. All animals across all species are pre-stunned or instantly dispatched via captive bolt before slaughter. We do not purchase from abattoirs that carry out non-stun slaughter.

Non-reversible stunning renders the animal permanently unconscious before slaughter, ensuring no possibility of pain or awareness. It is widely considered the most humane method available and is the standard we prioritise.

No. Because we require mandatory pre-stunning across our supply chain, our meat does not meet the requirements for halal or kosher certification. If you require certified halal or kosher meat, we’d recommend finding a specialist supplier.

The UK agricultural industry is diverse; some of our suppliers may provide certified products to other sectors. However, the specific meat delivered to Eric Lyons is handled according to our standard, non-certified specifications.

Yes. We maintain full traceability and can provide information about the farms and processors in our supply chain. We’ll be sharing more detail about individual farm partners on our blog soon.

Because our customers deserve to know exactly what they’re buying. Trust is built on honesty, and we believe clear information helps everyone make choices that align with their values.

Yes, we offer nationwide delivery across the UK. You can order online and receive our high-welfare British meat wherever you are.

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