Dutch Cabinet: New Guidelines On Animal Slaughter

AMSTERDAM (AP) — The Dutch government says it will tighten standards on the ritual slaughter of animals by cutting their throats without stunning, as required by ancient Jewish and Muslim dietary traditions, but will not ban the practice outright.

A proposed ban had passed Parliament’s lower house earlier this year with support from animal rights and anti-Islam political parties, but the plan fell apart in the Senate this month over freedom of religion concerns.

Undersecretary for Agriculture Hans Bleker’s office said in a statement Wednesday he would appoint a commission to broker a deal on new standards for ritual slaughters, including how long animals can remain conscious, education of slaughterers, and registration and quality requirements for slaughterhouses.