In a move to minimize the negative impact on animal welfare, the Netherlands has imposed a ban on exporting kosher and halal meats. An announcement in this regard was made by the Dutch junior minister for economic affairs, Martijn van Dam, on Wednesday.
The country is prepared to make the laws related to ritually-slaughtered meat stricter, Dutch News reported recently. According to the report, Dam is in favor of more stringent rules on meat obtained from animals that are killed with 'ritual' methods, rather than being stunned. He aims to lessen the sufferings of the animals.
In a letter to the Members of Parliament, Dam wrote, "I find the current implementation unacceptable. Negative effects on animal welfare must be minimized." The letter further added that henceforth it will be mandatory to clearly label all meat from ritually killed animals, which are only available in some religious communities and not in the 'regular' meat chain. According to the Dutch minister, the government would not allow such meat to be exported.
Dam clarified that he had already spoken to various Jewish and Muslim organizations in the country, besides the slaughterhouses. He said that he has urged them to agree to implement the new rules relating to meat export, Independent reported quoting the Dutch news website. The government has made agreements with these organizations for this purpose, Dam said.
According to the provisions in the new rules, it will become mandatory for all abattoirs that want to continue with performing ritual slaughter to register themselves with the concerned authorities for the next year.
Moreover, in order to avoid the animals from being stunned, it will be necessary to undertake their eye tests with a view to ensuring that all the animals are in an unconscious state before they are slaughtered.
While the Dutch food and goods authority the NVWA will monitor the activities of the slaughter houses and the above-mentioned organizations, it will be mandatory for all slaughterhouses to record the number of animals slaughtered.
