Only pre-approved abattoirs will be permitted to carry out ritual slaughter.
The European Court of Justice on Tuesday upheld a policy by the Flemish regional government to restrict ritual slaughter to pre-approved abattoirs.
Belgium in 1998 passed legislation allowing religious groups to slaughter animals wherever they chose — affecting mostly Muslim and Jewish communities that practice non-stun slaughter for ritual purposes.
The idea was to allow Muslims, for example, to slaughter animals at times of peak demand — such as during the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha — without having to go through official channels.
However, Flanders in 2014 argued that temporary slaughter arrangements were contrary to EU law and decided to restrict ritual slaughter to licensed abattoirs only. Muslim groups challenged the ruling on the basis of religious freedom. [POLITICO] Read more
