Poland scraps plans to ban ritual slaughter

Jan Krzysztof Ardanowski said that ritual slaughter was allowed in a number of countries around the world. He added that Muslim countries were the main market for such meat.

"Contrary to appearances, this is not a Jewish market, because this is quite small. Meanwhile, over a billion Muslims need the appropriate kind of food,” Ardanowski told state broadcaster Polish Radio on Thursday.

A bill on animal welfare drawn up by MPs from Poland’s ruling conservative Law and Justice party would, if passed, have banned slaughter without prior stunning.

Beef producers warned last year that a ban would hit their profits.

Islamic halal rituals require butchers to swiftly slaughter an animal by slitting its throat and draining the blood.

Many animal rights campaigners say stunning an animal electrically before slaughter is more humane.

(pk/gs)

Source: IAR