News/Press releases
Jewish Community calls on Government to recognise shechita as humane method of animal slaughter
(LONDON, 1st April 2004) Commenting on the Government’s response to the FAWC Report on the Welfare of Farmed Animals at Slaughter, Henry Grunwald, Chairman of Shechita UK and President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said:
We welcome the Government’s firm commitment to protect the right of the Jewish community to continue to practise Shechita, the Jewish religious humane method of animal slaughter for food.
We are, however, deeply concerned that the Government appears to have accepted FAWC’s assertions about the subjective experience of animals during Shechita. Their conclusions have been reached without any published scientific confirmation. We are particularly concerned by the false message that this sends about Shechita and the Jewish approach to the treatment of animals.
Shechita is closely regulated by the Jewish religious authorities in order to preserve the highest possible standards of animal welfare. We will, after carefully considering the details of the consultation paper, present a comprehensive response to the Government to demonstrate how Shechita emphatically safeguards animal welfare.
In working constructively with the Government, we will clarify that Shechita is unequivocally humane and it cannot be compromised. We call on the Government to recognise Shechita as a humane method of animal slaughter.