Shechita (Kosher slaughtering) and European legislation.

ABSTRACT

Shechita is the procedure of killing or slaughtering animals for food production, according to Jewish tradition and it is performed without prior stunning. USA and European legislations conditionally allow slaughter without prior stunning in the frame of religion freedom (USA) or religious/cultural traditions (EU); nevertheless some traditional events in Europe de nitely represent a concern for animal welfare. It is possible to identify animal welfare issues in the rules for shechita correct restrain of the animal; adequacy of the instrument (knife); technical ability of the operator. Animals restrain techniques evolved along the time in order to accomplish to less stressful immobilization of animals in course of shechita. When performed in the right way, shechita cannot be framed as negligent or intentionally painful, distressing or inducing su ering to animals. Today's stunning techniques raise concerns relative to adequacy and e ectiveness of stunning on animals, with welfare implications due to automatism of next dressing procedures. Shechita needs in Europe are in line with average meat demand by non Jewish population.