by MARGO de HAAS
The Dutch Lower House wants to introduce a ban on unanaesthetised ritual slaughter. A majority supports the proposal of the Animal Rights Party, which would make kosher and halal slaughter things of the past.
Jews and Muslims slaughter animals without anaesthetising them. The Animal Rights Party fervently believes that animals should not have to endure what they call torture in order to accommodate religious beliefs.
In unanaesthetised ritual slaughter, the arteries are cut open so that the animal bleeds to death. According to veterinarians and scientists, this means that death is even more agonisingly painful and drawn out. This, however, is disputed within the Jewish and Muslim communities.
“Ïf it wasn’t good for the animals, then God would not have decreed that it should take place,”
says Muslim butcher Mohammed Arab.
Now that the Labour party supports the proposal, there is a majority for the ban in the Lower House.
The religious parties CDA, Christian Union and SGP do not want a ban on unanaesthetised slaughter. The liberals are doubting, as a ban would mean the curbing of religious freedom.
The definitive decision will be made in the Lower House soon.