The Polish parliament has defeated an attempt to protect religious slaughter in law.
In November last year, the constitutional court ruled that a derogation which allows Jews and Muslims to kill animals without pre-stunning was unconstitutional and incompatible with animal welfare laws.
In May, Prime Minister Donald Tusk, submitted a draft of new regulations designed to allow kosher and halal slaughter while reducing the suffering of the animals. The draft law was voted down today.
Pinchas Goldschmidt, President of the Conference of European Rabbis, commented: “Jewish communities across Europe will be incredibly distressed that the Polish parliament has voted not to protect the religious freedom of its Jewish and Muslim citizens.
