ritual slaughter of animals

VVD likely to oppose ritual slaughter ban in senate vote

Wednesday 19 October 2011
The future of legislation to ban the ritual slaughter of animals is in doubt on Wednesday after it emerged the ruling VVD is unlikely to support it in the senate, or upper house of parliament.
The legislation was adopted by a large majority in the lower house, but according to the Volkskrant, VVD senators are not convinced by the need for the ban.
'It has a poor legal framework which was not improved by amendments in the second chamber,' VVD senator Sybe Schaap told the paper. The main amendment stated that ritual slaughter could continue if it could be proved that animals did not suffer more than during traditional abattoir killing.
Sensitive
Schaap would not say if the VVD would actually vote against the legislation. 'It is all very sensitive,' he said. Jewish and Muslim religious groups argue the ban is an infringement of the right to freedom of religion.
If the VVD opposes the bill, the focus will be on Labour, which is divided on the issue. A majority of Labour MPs voted against the ban in the second chamber.
The parties are due to formulate their standpoints next Tuesday and the vote is likely to be taken in December, the Volkskrant says.

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