Dutch senate debates ritual slaughter ban
Political support for legislation weakens following international outcry by Jewish, Muslim groups
Political support for a ban on the ritual slaughter of animals without stunning them first, as required by centuries-old Jewish and Muslim dietary traditions, has weakened as the Dutch senate debates the legislation.
The ban proposed by an animal rights party and widely endorsed by Dutch voters passed parliament's lower house by a 116-30 margin in June.
But after an international outcry by religious groups, several political parties said Tuesday they were reconsidering their positions, citing concerns about whether the ban would violate constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion.
Speaking first, Labor senator Nico Schrijver said his party now wants better enforcement of existing slaughter rules instead.
Senators are scheduled to vote December 20.
