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Whatever else it may be, the Danish ban on shechita is a reminder that, although we have won a series of recent battles against EU proposals, the threat to religious freedom is constant. As Lord Finkelstein writes on this page, a recent House of Lords debate was an attempt by British opponents to dip their toes in the water. And we can be sure that their campaign will only increase in intensity. The Danish ban will have little practical effect since its kosher meat is imported. But it is a worrying sign of things to come — not least because of the sophistry of the Danish government in its claim that it is driven by animal welfare. This week it was revealed that British military surgeons are being sent to Denmark to practise treating battle wounds on pigs which are shot for the purpose. So much for animal welfare. The truth of the matter is that religious minorities — Halal is also now illegal in Denmark — are being used as populist vote-winning fodder. Both main parties here oppose any move against shechita. But that could change in the blink of an eye.