Protesters demand Poland keeps kosher and halal slaughter ban
PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle
31.01.2013 16:36
Animal rights protesters have demonstrated against the planned reintroduction of kosher and halal slaughter methods, after Poland's Supreme Court ruling banned the practice last December.
Protest outside PSL HQ: photo - PAP/Leszek Szymański
Several dozen activists gathered outside the headquarters in Warsaw of the rural-based Polish Peasant's Party (PSL), the junior coalition partner, whose agriculture minister Stanislaw Kalemba is set to present amendments to Poland's animal rights legislation at the next Council of Ministers meeting.
"That this party is to introduce legislation against giving animals the right to humane slaughter is stunning,” said Monika Bukowska of the Viva Foundation.
Last December, Poland's highest court said that a previous amendment to the Law on the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to bring it into line with EU regulations - which allow 'ritual slaughter' as part of a religious practice, including animals being killed without first being stunned - was unconstitutional.
The agriculture ministry says, however, that the ban will cost Poland millions of zloty in lost exports to Saudi Arabia, Israel and other nations where kosher or halal slaughter is a religious requirement. (pg)
source: IAR