Denmark Unlikely to Change Law on Ritual Slaughter
Church News from Denmark (Church of Denmark)

The treatment of animals reared for slaughter in conformity with Jewish and Moslem traditions has aroused strong feelings among members of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and among many others in the Danish public. An address demanding anaesthetising of animals before the ritual slaughter will be handed over to the Minister of Justice, Frank Jensen, but "I see no reason to change the rules for ritual slaughter," he says to the Christian Daily.

The Minister's refusal is based on a decision in Parliament earlier this year when a motion to forbid ritual slaughter was rejected. A majority voted for a recommendation from the Council for Ethics as Regards Animals. The recommendation attached weight to both the consideration for animals and for religious minorities. The only addition to the existing law is that cattle, immediately after having their throats cut, are shot with a pistol.