A victory for all people who believe that the only animals to be slaughtered are for food, and that in a humane manner. No more slitting throats while animals are alive.
The European Court of Justice has supported a Belgian ban on kosher and halal slaughter of animals without being stunned, rejecting both Jewish and Muslim groups' objections. Stunning livestock before slaughter will now be required on the grounds of furthering animal rights. Animal rights group Gaia said it was a great day and the culmination of a 25-year struggle. While the Court accepted that imposing such a requirement limited Muslims and Jews' religious rights, it did not ban ritual slaughter outright. The Court also noted that the Flemish parliament had relied on scientific evidence, which indicated that prior stunning reduced animal suffering and that the law allowed "a fair balance to be struck" between animal welfare and freedom of religion. Roland. Toronto.
