Muslims in Brussels sue minister over halal slaughter ban

Brussels are bringing legal proceedings against the Flemish Animal Welfare Minister Ben Weyts

Several Muslim organizations in Brussels are bringing legal proceedings against the Flemish Animal Welfare Minister Ben Weyts. They hope to revoke regulations introduced by him banning the ritual slaughter of animals in temporary slaughterhouses for halal meat.

Weyts previously stated that the use of temporary slaughterhouses breaches European Union legislation “which permits the slaughter of conscious animals only for religious reasons and in authorized slaughterhouses”, and could therefore jeopardize all slaughtering of conscious animals.

While both Jewish and Muslim religious laws dictate animals are conscious when their necks are cut a practice opposed by animal rights activists kosher slaughter, or shahadah, only occurs in permanent licensed slaughterhouses. As such the current ban has no direct effect on the Jewish community.