Polish beef producers worried at plans to ban ritual slaughter

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

But the bill would allow ritual slaughter in cases where meat is intended for members of religious associations in Poland.

Beef producers have warned that a ban would hit their profits, causing them over PLN 1 billion (EUR 237m, USD 283m) in losses next year, Poland’s PAP news agency reported.

The Beef Sector Council said ritual slaughter plays an important role in beef exports and has helped Polish producers enter 40 markets in the last two years, PAP reported.

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: PAP