Methods of slaughter which, for religious reasons, on a stunning of the animals is omitted, are not equivalent in principle with those techniques, stunning when it comes to the Welfare of the animals. Therefore, meat from such productions should not be awarded the European Bio-seal, was decided by the European court of justice. the
meat that originates from ritual slaughter, where the animal was not stunned, can not bear the European organic seal of approval. This was decided by the European court of justice (ECJ). The justification for These methods is the Suffering of the animals does not keep as low as possible. However, the rules for the seal of approval.
Scientific studies have shown that anesthesia is the best technique to affect animal welfare during the slaughter at the least, it was said by the court of justice. Thus, the freedom of religion is maintained, it is allowed in the context of ritual slaughter in the EU, exceptionally, to waive the anesthesia. A precise cut is not required with a sharp knife on the neck of the animal, so it feels unnecessary long pain. The animal suffers but still more than in the case of a stun, which leads to loss of consciousness and sensibility. Therefore, these ritual techniques are not equivalent with the EU law, the prescribed method of slaughter, decided by the court.
the request of the animal rights activists, it was first rejected
an animal welfare organization in France, which wanted to achieve that as a “halal” marked hack steaks may not be so advertised had come to Complain that “organic farming”. Because the meat came from animals that were slaughtered without prior stunning. The certification body Ecocert had rejected the request of animal rights activists implicitly, the competent French administrative court had asked the ECJ for advice.
In the corresponding EU-regulation for organic seal of approval is required in all stages of production strict animal welfare standards are met: “An animal Suffering, including mutilation, is hold during the entire lifetime of the animals, as well as at the time of slaughter as low as possible”, – stated in the appropriate regulation.
the aim of this legislation was highlighted by the ECJ to uphold consumer confidence in products labeled as “organic”, and to justify. Consumers should be able to be sure that products bearing the organic Logo of the EU, meeting the highest standards in animal welfare.
