The Law Library of Congress, Global Legal Research Center

(202) 707-5080 (phone) • (866) 550-0442 (fax) • law@loc.gov • http://www.law.gov

Legal Restrictions on Religious 

Slaughter in Europe

March 2018
This report is provided for reference purposes only. 

It does not constitute legal advice and does not represent the official 

opinion of the United States Government. The information provided 

reflects research undertaken as of the date of writing. 

It has not been updated.
Contents

I. Comparative Summary ............................................................................................................1

II. Country Surveys .......................................................................................................................2

Austria..................................................................................................................................2

Belgium................................................................................................................................3

Cyprus..................................................................................................................................4

Denmark...............................................................................................................................4

Estonia..................................................................................................................................6

Finland .................................................................................................................................7

France...................................................................................................................................8

Germany...............................................................................................................................9

Greece ..................................................................................................................................9

Iceland................................................................................................................................10

Latvia .................................................................................................................................11

Liechtenstein......................................................................................................................12

Lithuania ............................................................................................................................12

Luxembourg.......................................................................................................................12

Netherlands........................................................................................................................13

Norway...............................................................................................................................13

Poland ................................................................................................................................15

Slovenia..............................................................................................................................16

Spain ..................................................................................................................................16
Sweden...............................................................................................................................17

Switzerland ........................................................................................................................19
The Law Library of Congress 1

Legal Restrictions on Religious Slaughter in Europe 

by the Staff of the Global Legal Research Center 

I. Comparative Summary 

This report includes surveys of the laws of twenty-one European jurisdictions concerning the 

legality of religious slaughter. All European countries that do not allow kosher or halal slaughter 

of animals are included; some but not all countries that permit such slaughter subject to 

regulation are also included. 

The Council of Europe’s Convention for the Protection of Animals for Slaughter1

 and the 

European Union’s Council Regulation 1099/20092 provide that animals should be stunned before 

they are slaughtered. Both also provide that Member States may allow derogations from the 

stunning requirement to allow for ritual slaughter.3

 

Jewish and Islamic methods of slaughter developed over centuries, partly to provide for a 

method of killing that minimized the animal’s suffering.4 Legislation requiring stunning prior to 

slaughter began to be adopted in parts of Europe in the late nineteenth century. In 1933, Adolf 

Hitler, shortly after becoming chancellor, banned the slaughter of animals in Germany without 

prior stunning, which led to an anguished rabbinic debate on whether observant Jews could eat 

meat slaughtered with prior stunning under these circumstances.5 The rabbis reached a general 

consensus that prior stunning was unacceptable even under the extreme situation of Nazi 

Germany. Since then, virtually no rabbinic authorities have found that stunning prior to 

slaughter is consistent with Jewish doctrine.6

 Under Islamic law, some authorities reject all 

 

1

 European Convention for the Protection of Animals for Slaughter art. 12, May 10, 1979, E.T.S. No. 102, 

https://rm.coe.int/1680077d98, archived at https://perma.cc/8USA-GG5U. 

2

 Council Regulation 1099/2009 of 24 September 2009 on the Protection of Animals at the Time of Killing art. 4, 

2009 O.J. (L 303) 1, http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:303:0001:0030:EN:PDF, 

archived at https://perma.cc/7DCL-X9Y2. 

3

 European Convention for the Protection of Animals for Slaughter art. 17; Council Regulation 1099/2009, art. 4(4). 

Of the countries surveyed in this report, all but one, Switzerland, is a member of the EU or the European Economic 

Area and therefore governed by the EU regulation. All of the countries surveyed are members of the Council of 

Europe, and while not all of them have ratified the Convention for the Protection of Animals for Slaughter, 

Switzerland has. Chart of Signatures and Ratifications of Treaty 102, COUNCIL OF EUROPE TREATY OFFICE (as of 

Mar. 23, 2018), https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/full-list/-/conventions/treaty/102/signatures?p_auth= 

iYYl0z5h, archived at https://perma.cc/HFQ4-VGHZ. 

4 See, e.g., MOSES MAIMONIDES, THE GUIDE FOR THE PERPLEXED bk. III ch. XLVIII (M. Friedländer trans., 1904) 

(“the Law enjoins that the death of the animal should be the easiest. It is not allowed to torment the animal . . . .”), 

http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/gfp/gfp184.htm#page_372, archived at https://perma.cc/Z7TF-AP4H. 

5

 ARI Z. ZIVOTOFSKY, DIALREL REPORT: RELIGIOUS RULES AND REQUIREMENTS—JUDAISM 16–17 (2010), 

http://www.dialrel.eu/images/dialrel-wp1-final.pdf, archived at https://perma.cc/4EGE-7EQ5. 

6 Id. at 17. There is authority for post-cut stunning, at least in the Conservative movement. Rabbi Mayer 

Rabinowitz, A Stunning Matter, COMMITTEE ON JEWISH LAW AND STANDARDS OF THE RABBINICAL ASSEMBLY (May 

30, 2000), https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/sites/default/files/public/halakhah/teshuvot/19912000/

rabinowitz_stunning.pdf, archived at https://perma.cc/2D3F-MBT9. 
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forms of stunning prior to slaughter, while other authorities accept certain types of 

prior stunning.7 

Given the sincerely-held religious beliefs of observant Jews and many Muslims, requiring 

stunning before slaughter clearly implicates international human rights law on freedom of 

religion, including the European Convention on Human Rights.8

Several European countries do not allow derogations from the general requirement of prior 

stunning. These include Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, and Slovenia. Switzerland and 

Lichtenstein require prior stunning except for poultry. Finland requires concurrent sedation; 

legislation is pending that would require prior stunning. At the subnational level, two of the 

three regions of Belgium have recently enacted laws requiring prior stunning, which will become 

effective in 2019 unless overturned by litigation pending in Belgium’s constitutional court. 

Some countries mandate post-cut stunning, including Austria, Estonia, Greece, and Latvia. 

Other European countries permit derogations from the general requirements to allow for 

religious slaughter. The cases of Cyprus, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and Spain illustrate 

different forms that regulation of ritual slaughter may take, while Poland, where religious 

slaughter is currently legal, offers an interesting history concerning the legality of 

religious slaughter. 

II. Country Surveys 

Austria

Austria generally prohibits the killing of animals without stunning.9

 A no-stunning permit for 

ritual slaughter may be obtained if killing without stunning is necessary according to mandatory 

religious instructions or prohibitions of a recognized religious denomination.10 The ritual 

 

7

 HALUK ANIL ET AL., DIALREL REPORT: RELIGIOUS RULES AND REQUIREMENTS—HALAL SLAUGHTER 3 (2010), 

http://www.dialrel.eu/images/halal-rules.pdf, archived at https://perma.cc/CT9A-A3V4. 

8

 Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms art. 9, Nov. 4, 1950, 213 U.N.T.S. 

221, http://www.echr.coe.int/Documents/Convention_ENG.pdf, archived at http://perma.cc/H88Y-KGN9; Pablo 

Lerner & Alfredo Mordechai Rabello, The Prohibition of Ritual Slaughtering (Kosher Shechita and Halal) and 

Freedom of Religion of Minorities, 22 J. LAW & REL. 1, 17–26 (2007), available at http://www.istitutobioetica. 

org/Bioetica sociale/multiculturalismo/Lerner Rabello Macellazione.htm, archived at https://perma.cc/UPQ7-3ZGH. 

9

 Bundesgesetz über den Schutz der Tiere [Tierschutzgesetz – TSchG] [Federal Act on the Protection of Animals 

[Animal Protection Act – TSchG], BUNDESGESETZBLATT [BGBL.] [FEDERAL LAW GAZETTE] No. 118/2004, § 32, 

para. 3, sentence 1, http://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung/Bundesnormen/20003541/TSchG, Fassung vom 

27.02.2018.pdf, archived at http://perma.cc/2G4L-5U46, unofficial English translation available at https://www.ris. 

bka.gv.at/Dokumente/Erv/ERV_2004_1_118/ERV_2004_1_118.pdf, archived at http://perma.cc/ZPS3-VXC2; 

Tierschutz-Schlachtverordnung [Animal Protection Slaughter Regulation], BGBL. II No. 312/2015, § 11 in 

connection with Annex A, https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung/Bundesnormen/20009315/TierschutzSchlachtverordnung, Fassung vom 27.02.2018.pdf, archived at http://perma.cc/3ZR2-TX3P. 

10 Animal Protection Act § 32, para. 3, sentence 2 & para. 5. 
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slaughter must take place in slaughterhouses specially established and authorized by the 

authorities for this purpose.11 In addition, the permit will only be granted if 

 the ritual slaughter is performed by persons possessing the necessary knowledge and skills; 

 the ritual slaughter is performed exclusively in the presence of a veterinarian in charge of 

slaughtering and meat inspection; 

 equipment is available to ensure that the animals intended for ritual slaughter can be brought 

into the position required for slaughtering as quickly as possible; 

 the slaughter is performed in a way that the large blood vessels in the throat area are opened 

with one single cut; 

 the animals are effectively stunned immediately after opening of the blood vessels (postcut stunning); 

 the stunning becomes effective immediately after the cut is performed; and 

 the animals intended for ritual slaughter are not brought into the required position before the 

anesthetist is ready to perform the stunning.12

Belgium

Religious slaughter is not prohibited at the federal level, but two of Belgium’s three regions have 

recently adopted legislation to prohibit the practice. The Parliament of Wallonia issued a decree 

on May 18, 2017, requiring that animals be stunned before slaughter regardless of whether 

religious rules allow it.13 This prohibition on religious slaughter is to take effect on August 31, 

2019.14 The Flemish Parliament adopted a similar measure on June 28, 2017, which is to take 

effect on January 1, 2019.15 Violation of these prohibitions will be punishable by fines of 

between €52 and €2,000 (approximately US$64 and $2,463).16 The Brussels-Capital region, 

however, does not appear to have yet adopted any similar prohibition. Both the Walloon decree 

and the Flemish decree have been challenged before the Belgian Constitutional Court as possible 

 

11 Id. § 32, para. 4. 

12 Id. § 32, para. 5. 

13 Décret du 18 mai 2017 modifiant les articles 3, 15 et 16 et insérant un article 45ter dans la loi du 14 août 1986 

relative à la protection et au bien-être des animaux [Decree of 18 May 2017 Amending Articles 3, 15 and 16, and 

Inserting Article 45ter in the Law of 14 August 1986 Regarding the Protection and Well-Being of Animals] art. 2, 

http://www.etaamb.be/fr/decret-du-18-mai-2017_n2017012349.html, archived at https://perma.cc/Z4EQ-WEKA. 

14 Id. art. 4. 

15 Décret du 7 juillet 2017 portant modification de la loi du 14 août 1986 relative à la protection et au bien-être des 

animaux, en ce qui concerne les méthodes autorisées pour l’abattage des animaux [Decree of 7 July 2017 for the 

Amendment of the Law of 14 August 1986 Regarding the Protection and Well-Being of Animals, and Concerning 

the Authorized Methods for the Slaughter of Animals] arts. 3, 6, http://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/eli/decret/ 

2017/07/07/2017030639/justel, archived at https://perma.cc/43PJ-RAL5. 

16 Loi du 14 aout 1986 relative à la protection et au bien-être des animaux [Law of 14 August 1986 Regarding the 

Protection and Well-Being of Animals] art. 36, http://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/eli/loi/1986/08/14/1986016 

195/justel, archived at https://perma.cc/VFQ4-XEPU. 
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violations of religious freedom.17 It is unclear when the Constitutional Court is expected to 

render its decision. 

Cyprus 

Cyprus generally requires animals to be stunned before slaughter, but an exception is allowed in 

the case of animals subject to religious methods of slaughter. Cypriot regulations require an 

application by a competent religious authority to the Cyprus Veterinary Services for a special 

derogation from the standard requirement.18 The Veterinary Services examines the application 

to determine if the religious authority applying for the derogation is competent to monitor and 

apply the ritual practice; if the derogation is granted, slaughter may be carried out in accordance 

with the religious practice.19 

Denmark 

Denmark is a member of the European Union. It has a population of nearly 5.8 million, of which 

6,000 are estimated to be Jews and 30,000 Muslims.20 Denmark introduced new animal welfare 

protections in relation to slaughter in 2014.21 At that time the slaughter of animals without prior 

sedation had reportedly not been performed in Denmark since 2004.22 

The slaughter of animals is regulated in Denmark’s Animal Protections Act,23 which provides 

that animals must be slaughtered as quickly and as painlessly as possible.24 In addition, it 

 

17 Décret wallon sur l’abattage rituel: recours des organisations juives devant la Cour constitutionnelle [Walloon 

Decree on Religious Slaughter: Jewish Organizations Appeal to the Constitutional Court], RTBF (Nov. 28, 2017), 

https://www.rtbf.be/info/belgique/detail_decret-wallon-sur-l-abattage-rituel-recours-des-organisations-juivesdevant-la-cour-constitutionnelle?id=9774909, archived at https://perma.cc/R86Y-RYDL. 

18 Regulations on the Protection of Animals at the Time of Slaughter or Killing of May 2, 2002, Reg. 5, OFFICIAL 

GAZETTE 2002 Annex III(I) 1891, cited in ACHILLES C. EMILIANIDES, RELIGION AND LAW IN CYPRUS 116 (2d 

ed. 2014). 

19 Id. 

20 Population in Denmark, STATISTICS DENMARK, https://www.dst.dk/en/Statistik/emner/befolkning-ogvalg/befolkning-og-befolkningsfremskrivning/folketal (last visited Feb. 28, 2017), archived at 

https://perma.cc/KAV6-EMKG; Jews in Denmark, CHABADENMARK, http://www.chabadenmark.com/templates/ 

articlecco_cdo/aid/72568/jewish/Jews-in-Denmark.htm (last visited Feb. 28, 2018), archived at

https://perma.cc/7B8P-MZJH. Muslims are estimated to make up 5.4% of the Danish population (equivalent to 

30,000 people). Conrad Hackett, 5 Facts about the Muslim Population in Europe, FACT TANK (Pew Research 

Center, Nov. 29, 2017), http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/11/29/5-facts-about-the-muslim-population-ineurope/, archived at https://perma.cc/L26L-VC89. 

21 See also Elin Hofverberg, Denmark: Kosher Slaughter Method Effectively Banned , GLOBAL LEGAL MONITOR, 

(June 2, 2014), http://www.loc.gov/law/foreign-news/article/denmark-kosher-slaughter-method-effectively-banned/, 

archived at https://perma.cc/GR4X-3SNJ. 

22 Rituel slagtning [Ritual Slaughter], FØDEVARESTYRELSEN (Oct. 30, 2017), https://www.foedevarestyrelsen.dk/ 

Leksikon/Sider/Rituel-slagtning.aspx, archived at https://perma.cc/3NMG-AJT5. 

23 DYREVÆRNSLOVEN [ANIMAL PROTECTIONS ACT] (LBK nr 20 af 11/01/2018), https://www.retsinformation.dk/ 

Forms/R0710.aspx?id=197059, archived at https://perma.cc/42CK-P96K. 

24 Id. § 13. 
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provides that the Ministry of Environment and Food may issue further ordinances on how 

slaughter may be performed.25 In 2014 Denmark issued an ordinance that effectively banned 

kosher and nonsedated halal slaughter.26 The ordinance allows for religious slaughter, but 

requires religious slaughter to be preceded by sedation of the animal.27 Thus, there is no 

exception to the rule that animals must be sedated prior to slaughter. 

The Guidelines to the Ordinance on Slaughter and Killing of Animals prescribes that only the 

following methods of sedation are acceptable under Danish law: mechanical (bolt pistol, 

shotgun, breaking the animals neck, or by blow to the head), electrical, or gas.28

Only poultry, cattle, sheep, and goats may be slaughtered through “religious slaughter.”29 These 

animals must be sedated with a “nonpenetrating bolt tool.”30 If that form of sedation is not 

effective, the animal must immediately be sedated with the use of a “penetrating bolt” or by the 

use of “electricity.”31 The animal must be fixated prior to performing the sedating act (for cattle, 

this means in a box).32 In addition, the animal must be at least eight months old, or twenty-four 

months old for bulls.33

Danish law allows for the import of kosher and halal meat that has been slaughtered without 

prior sedation. In addition, halal slaughter is performed in Denmark by Muslims who provide 

sedation prior to slaughter.34 According to Danish Veterinary and Food Administration reports, 

Danish slaughtered halal meat is exported to the Middle East.35 Slaughterhouses that wish to 

perform religious slaughter (in effect, halal slaughter) must notify the Danish Veterinary and 

 

25 Id. 

26 BEKENDTGØRELSE OM SLAGTNING OG AFLIVNING AF DYR [ORDINANCE ON SLAUGHTER AND KILLING OF ANIMALS] 

(BEK nr 135 af 14/02/2014), https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=161815, archived at 

https://perma.cc/V5WA-J3WT. For further reading see Hofverberg, supra note 21. 

27 § 9 BEKENDTGØRELSE OM SLAGTNING OG AFLIVNING AF DYR.

28 Kødkontrollens vejledning til aflivningsforordningen [Meat Control’s Guidelines to the Slaughter Regulation], 

FØDEVARESTYRELSEN (2015), ¶3.6 at 22, https://www.foedevarestyrelsen.dk/SiteCollectionDocuments/Dyrevelfaerd 

og veterinaermedicin/Dyrevelfærd/Slagtning og aflivning/Vejledning til aflivningsforordningen, opdateret den 

1.9.2015.pdf, archived at https://perma.cc/TRB9-ZMCA . 

29 § 10 BEKENDTGØRELSE OM SLAGTNING OG AFLIVNING AF DYR. 

30 Id. 

31 Id. § 10(3). 

32 Id. § 10(2). 

33 Id. § 10(1). 

34 Fakta om halal-slagtning [Facts on Halal Slaughter], LANDBRUG & FØDEVARER, https://lf.dk/viden-om/foede 

vareproduktion/slagtning/fakta-om-halal-slagtning (last visited Feb. 27, 2018), archived at https://perma.cc/2DLDK7M8. 

35 Information vedrørende mærkning af slagtemetoder [Information Regarding Labeling of Slaughter Methods], 

FØDEVARESTYRELSEN (Sept. 11, 2017), https://www.foedevarestyrelsen.dk/Leksikon/Sider/Informationvedroerende-maerkning-af-slagtemetoder.aspx, archived at https://perma.cc/FRB6-JXGL. 
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Food Administration (Fødevarestyrelsen) prior to initiating slaughter.36 There are no 

requirements that halal meat must be marked as halal.37

There are currently no proposals pending in the Danish Parliament to allow for the slaughter of 

animals without prior sedation, or to allow for religious exemptions to the current rules.38 

Estonia

Estonia’s Animal Protection Law regulates the slaughter of animals for religious purposes.39

According to observers, Estonian policies on religious slaughter are the strictest among the 

European Union Member States.40 The original procedure, which required post-cut stunning, 

was introduced in 2001 when the Law was adopted. Under this Law, the religious community 

was required to inform government authorities about the forthcoming slaughter ten days in 

advance, and conduct the slaughter in presence of a government animal welfare inspector. A 

registered religious community was allowed to slaughter animals outside of a slaughterhouse if 

the community obtained a special slaughtering permit from the government agency in charge of 

veterinary and food control.41 

Pursuant to 2012 amendments to the Animal Protection Law to comply with the requirements of 

European Council Regulation (EC) No. 1099/2009, the pre-slaughter notification period has been 

extended to twenty days, and the government reserves the right to deny a religious community’s 

request to slaughter an animal if it determines that (1) the number of animals to be slaughtered 

according to the application is disproportionately high, given the needs of the members of the 

religious association, and (2) slaughter is not justified by the needs of the requesting religious 

community.42 An implementing regulation issued by the Ministry of Agriculture allows religious 

slaughter without pre-stunning; however, special procedures established by the regulation must 

be met.43 

 

36 § 12 BEKENDTGØRELSE OM SLAGTNING OG AFLIVNING AF DYR. 

37 Labeling is regulated on the EU level and labeling of halal meat is not required. Denmark does not have any 

additional requirements. See Information vedrørende mærkning af slagtemetoder, FØDEVARESTYRELSEN, supra

note 35. 

38 See FOLKETINGET [DANISH PARLIAMENT], http://ft.dk (last visited Mar. 22, 2018), archived at

https://perma.cc/DK5L-TAHG. 

39 Loomakaitseseadus [Animal Protection Act], RIIGI TEATAJA [OFFICIAL GAZETTE] I 2001, No. 3,4, § 17, 

https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/118122012018, archived at https://perma.cc/G7RB-FT3R, official English translation 

available at https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/530102013045/consolide, archived at https://perma.cc/4XZW-B92B. 

40 Estonia to Change Law on Religious Slaughter, NEW YORK JEWISH WEEK (Aug. 5, 2012), http://jewishweek. 

timesofisrael.com/estonia-to-change-law-on-religious-slaughter/, archived at https://perma.cc/S89E-5FKT. 

41 RINGO RINGVEE, ANNOTATED LEGAL DOCUMENTS ON ISLAM IN EUROPE: ESTONIA 93 (Brill, 2015). 

42 Animal Protection Act § 17(7). 

43 Ministry of Agriculture Regulation No. 93, Põllumajanduslooma Religioossel Eesmärgil Tapmise Erimeetodid 

[Special Methods of Religious Slaughter of Farm Animals] (Dec. 27, 2012), https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/ 

129122012053, archived at https://perma.cc/PLU5-PPDY, official English translation available at https://www.riigi 

teataja.ee/en/eli/ee/P%C3%95M/reg/522122014006/consolide, archived at https://perma.cc/Y93Z-NXUZ. 
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Finland 

Finland is a member of the European Union and thus bound by EC Regulation 1109/2012 on the 

protection of animals during slaughter. It has a population of approximately 5.5 million, of which 

an estimated 1,500 are Jews and 65,000 are Muslims.44 

The slaughter of animals is regulated in the Finnish Animal Protections Act,45 which provides 

that animals must be sedated prior to slaughter.46 However, the Act allows an exception for 

religiously slaughtered animals that are sedated simultaneously with the start of bloodletting.47

This exemption was also in force in the earlier Animal Welfare Regulation.48 It still requires that 

sedation (via bolt pistol or electricity) be applied simultaneously with the fatal cut.49 

In practice halal slaughter is only performed with prior sedation.50 No kosher slaughter is 

performed, as kosher slaughter cannot be performed with concurrent sedation. In addition, 

Finnish law requires that religiously slaughtered animals only be slaughtered in slaughter houses 

with a veterinarian present.51 

Violations of the slaughter rules in the Animal Welfare Act are punishable with a fine or no more 

than two years of imprisonment.52

 

44 Finland’s Preliminary Population 5,516,224 at the End of 2017, STATISTICS FINLAND (Feb. 15, 2018), 

http://www.stat.fi/til/vamuu/2017/12/vamuu_2017_12_2018-02-15_tie_001_en.html, archived at

https://perma.cc/RRU5-74K2; Finland, JEWISH HERITAGE EUROPE, http://jewish-heritage-europe.eu/finland (last 

visited Feb. 28, 2018), archived at https://perma.cc/L9CG-JPPY; U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT, FINLAND 2016

INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT (2016), https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/269056.pdf, 

archived at https://perma.cc/6VNY-6NNZ. 

45 DJURSKYDDSLAG [ANIMAL WELFARE ACT] (Finlands författningssamling [FFS] 1996/247), http://www.finlex.fi/ 

sv/laki/ajantasa/1996/19960247, archived at https://perma.cc/J4JH-4JVM. 

46 Id. 33 § (in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No. 1099/2009 of 24 September 2009 on the Protections of 

Animals at the Time of Killing, 2009 O.J. (L 303) 1). 

47 Id. 33b § (emphasis by author). 

48 See 42 § Djurskyddsförordning [Animal Welfare Ordinance] (FFS 7.6.1996/396) https://www.finlex.fi/sv/laki/ 

ajantasa/1996/19960396, archived at https://perma.cc/NT67-MTS8; see also Jord-coh skogsbruksutskottets 

betänkande 5/2013 rd [Agricultural and Forestry Committee Report] (JsUB 5/2013 rd - RP 35/2013 rd), 

https://www.eduskunta.fi/SV/Vaski/Sidor/trip.aspx?triptype=riksdagshandlingar&docid=jsub+5/2013.

49 33b § DJURSKYDDSLAGEN. For list of permissable sedation methods see Metoder för avlivning och slakt av olika 

produktionsdjursslag, EVIRA (Apr. 19, 2016), https://www.evira.fi/sv/djur/djurskydd-och-djurhallning/djurskyddvid-slakt-och-avlivning/avlivning-och-slakt-av-produktionsdjur/metoder-for-avlivning-och-slakt/metoder-foravlivning-och-slakt-av-olika-djursslag/, archived at https://perma.cc/SH8M-MXEL. 

50 Frågor och svar om slakt, EVIRA (Mar. 6, 2017), https://www.evira.fi/sv/djur/djurskydd-och-djurhallning/ 

djurskydd-vid-slakt-och-avlivning/fragor-och-svar-om-slakt/, archived at https://perma.cc/XP32-RCSN. 

51 33b § DJURSKYDDSLAGEN. 

52 17 kap. 14 § STRAFFLAG [PENAL CODE] (19.12.1889/39), https://www.finlex.fi/sv/laki/ajantasa/1889/ 

18890039001?search[type]=pika&search[pika]=strafflagen#L17, archived at https://perma.cc/95P5-2T8G. 
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The sedation method accepted under Finnish law depends on what animal is to be slaughtered, as 

provided for in EC Regulation No. 1099/2009. Poultry and sheep may be sedated using 

electricity, while cattle may only be slaughtered using a penetrating bolt pistol.53 

Finnish law allows for the import of kosher and halal meat that has been slaughtered without 

prior sedation,54 even though kosher slaughter is not allowed in Finland. There are no restrictions 

in Finnish law on the export of halal meat. 

Finland is currently updating its Animal Welfare Act and proposing to limit the religious 

slaughter exception to require that all animals be sedated prior to being slaughtered.55 If passed, 

the new rules would enter into force in 2020.56

France 

France generally requires that animals be stunned before being slaughtered, but provides an 

exception for religious slaughter.57 This exception is subject to prior government authorization, 

for which the slaughterhouse must show that it has equipment and procedures in place to meet 

hygiene requirements, and that it is requesting the exception to meet commercial orders that 

require it.58 There are no restrictions on export; meat from animals slaughtered according to 

religious rites account for approximately a third of total French meat exports.59 

 

 

53 Djurskydd vid slakt och avlivning, EVIRA (Dec. 21, 2017), https://www.evira.fi/sv/djur/djurskydd-ochdjurhallning/djurskydd-vid-slakt-och-avlivning/, archived at https://perma.cc/3P2Z-246D. 

54 For an example of a kosher food market (importer of kosher meat) see Beef & Poultry, IAN’S MART, 

http://www.iansmart.fi/category/2/beef--poultry (last visited Feb. 28, 2018), archived at https://perma.cc/L5VFBJC6. 

55 Utkast Regeringens proposition till riksdagen med förslag till lag om djurs välbefinnande och till lagar om ändring 

av vissa lagar som har samband med den [Draft Government Bill to the Finnish Parliament with Proposal for 

Amendments to the Animal Welfare Act, and Acts Connected to It] (Dec. 21, 2017), LAUSUNTOPALVELU, 

https://www.lausuntopalvelu.fi/FI/Proposal/DownloadProposalAttachment?attachmentId (in Swedish; website 

maintained by Finnish Justice Department), archived at https://perma.cc/2GJX-DWQS; Avlivningsförordningen 

förändrar djurskyddslagstiftningen om slakt och avlivning av produktionsdjur, JORD-OCH SKOGSBRUKSMINISTERIET, 

http://mmm.fi/sv/djur-och-vaxter/djurens-valbefinnande/information-om-reformen-av-djurskyddslagen (last visited 

Feb. 28, 2018), archived at https://perma.cc/7J99-SUHJ. 

56 Utkast Regeringens proposition, supra note 55. 

57 CODE RURAL ET DE LA PÊCHE MARITIME [MARITIME FISHING AND RURAL CODE] art. R214-70, https://www.legi 

france.gouv.fr/affichCodeArticle.do;jsessionid=632312A0EF445E09FC18CC6DBB86D3E7.tplgfr36s_2?idArticle=

LEGIARTI000035664621&cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006071367&dateTexte=20180305, archived at

https://perma.cc/XY88-PWYJ. 

58 Id.

59 Céline Boff, Bœuf: L’abattage rituel, un atout économique pour la France [Beef: Religious Slaughter, An 

Economic Asset for France], 20 MINUTES (Mar. 16, 2014), https://www.20minutes.fr/economie/1324586-20140316-

20140316-boeuf-labattage-rituel-atout-economique-france, archived at https://perma.cc/E34D-BPBX. 
Legal Restrictions on Religious Slaughter in Europe 

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Germany

German law generally prohibits the killing of warm-blooded animals without stunning.60

However, as an exception, a no-stunning permit may be granted if the following two 

requirements are met: (1) the applicant is a member of a group of persons who are united by a 

common religious conviction that has mandatory rules requiring slaughter without stunning 

(ritual slaughter) or prohibiting the consumption of animal meat not slaughtered in this way; and 

(2) slaughter without stunning is necessary to meet the needs of the members of that local 

religious community within Germany.61 “Necessary” means that a permit will not be granted if 

there are other ways that meet the needs of that specific local religious community—for 

example, electrical head-only stunning (electronarcosis) instead of slaughter without stunning.62

However, a general denial of a permit because of the possibility of electronarcosis is not allowed; 

religious freedom and animal protection have to be balanced on a case-by-case basis.63

The application for a permit must be filed with the competent state authority.64 In addition, the 

permit will only be granted if the applicant possesses the necessary level of competence involved 

in slaughtering animals as evidenced by a certificate of competence.65

The export of animals that were killed without stunning is prohibited. The law makes this clear 

by stating that a no-stunning permit will only be granted to meet the needs of religious 

communities “within the scope of application of this act [the Animal Welfare Act]” (im 

Geltungsbereich dieses Gesetzes), meaning within Germany.66 

Greece 

Greece permits some forms of religious slaughter, but a new regulation requires post-cut 

stunning. A 2017 Joint Ministerial Decision implementing EU Council Regulation 1099/2009 

provides that religious slaughter may occur without prior stunning; such slaughter must occur in 

 

60 Tierschutzgesetz [TierSchG] [Animal Welfare Act], May 18, 2006, BUNDESGESETZBLATT [BGBL.] [FEDERAL 

LAW GAZETTE] I at 1206, 1313, § 4a, para. 1, http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/tierschg/TierSchG.pdf, archived at 

http://perma.cc/TM8D-EK65, unofficial English translation available at https://www.animallaw.info/statute/ 

germany-cruelty-german-animal-welfare-act (updated through Oct. 2010), archived at http://perma.cc/5EL5-

YWDK. 

61 Id. § 4a, para. 2, no. 2. 

62 Verwaltungsgerichtshof Bayern [VGH Bayern] [Higher Administrative Court Bavaria], July 22, 2011, docket 

no. 09 BV 09.2892,para. 46, https://openjur.de/u/492547.html, archived at http://perma.cc/FNG9-YK3L. 

63 Bundesverfassungsgericht [BVerfG] [Federal Constitutional Court], Jan. 15, 2002, docket no. 1 BvR 1783/99, 

ECLI:DE:BVerfG:2002:rs20020115.1bvr178399, para. 49, http://www.bverfg.de/e/rs20020115_1bvr178399 

en.html, archived at http://perma.cc/TXC7-6M9X. 

64 Animal Welfare Act § 4a, para. 2, no. 2. 

65 Tierschutz-Schlachtverordnung [TierSchlV] [Animal Welfare Slaughter Regulation], Dec. 20, 2012, BGBL. I at 

2982, § 4, http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/tierschlv_2013/TierSchlV.pdf, archived at http://perma.cc/2JJ8-FELP. 

66 Animal Welfare Act § 4a, para. 2, no. 2. 
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a slaughterhouse and animals must be properly restrained, as the EU regulation requires.67 

Greece imposes conditions beyond the requirements of Regulation 1099/2009 by requiring 

stunning immediately after cutting (for animals other than poultry), forbidding restraint of 

ruminants by inversion or other abnormal position, and requiring a suitably sharpened knife of 

appropriate size and a readily available spare knife.68 

Iceland 

Iceland is a small country in the northern part of Europe with approximately 350,000 inhabitants, 

of which one hundred are estimated to be Jews and 1,500 to be Muslims.69 Reportedly, a Jewish 

Chabad congregation with its own rabbi is set to open in Iceland in 2018.70 Religious freedoms 

are protected in the Icelandic Constitution.71

Although Iceland is not a member of the European Union, it is a member of the European 

Economic Area (EEA); thus, the provisions on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter 

of Regulation (EC) No. 1099/2009 apply to Iceland.72

The slaughter of animals in Iceland is regulated by the Act on Animal Welfare,73 which provides 

that animals must be sedated prior to slaughter.74 There are no religious exceptions.75 Slaughter 

is further regulated in the Regulation on the Protection of Animals During Slaughter.76

 

67 Joint Ministerial Decision 951/44337/2017, Adoption of the Necessary Additional Measures for the 

Implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1099/2009 Concerning the Slaughter of Animals in 

Slaughterhouses by Ritual Methods art. 2 (Apr. 21, 2017), available at https://shopsupport.wordpress.com/

2017/06/14/καθορισμός-των-αναγκαίων-συμπληρωμα/ (in Greek), archived at https://perma.cc/3787-F4XY. 

68 Id. art. 3. 

69 HAGSTOFA ÍSLANDS, https://hagstofa.is/ (last visited Feb. 28, 2018), archived at https://perma.cc/FTP9-3VC7; 

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT, ICELAND 2016 INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT 2 (2016), 

https://www.state.gov/ documents/organization/269068.pdf, archived at https://perma.cc/DZ67-FDJR. 

70 Chabad to Open in Iceland, LUBOVITCH (Feb. 11, 2018), http://lubavitch.com/news/article/2079287/Chabad-ToOpen-in-Iceland.html, archived at http://perma.cc/ZDD9-ACZJ. 

71 STJÓRNARSKRÁ LÝÐVELDISINS ÍSLANDS (1944 nr. 33 17. júní) [CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF ICELAND], 

https://www.althingi.is/lagas/nuna/1944033.html, archived at https://perma.cc/86ZF-KJW7, available in unofficial 

English translation at https://www.government.is/Publications/Legislation/Lex/?newsid=89fc6038-fd28-11e7-9423-

005056bc4d74, archived at https://perma.cc/4BT8-33W9. 

72 Council Regulation (EC) No. 1099/2009 of 24 September 2009 on the Protection of Animals at the Time of 

Killing, 2009 O.J. (L 303) 1, was transposed into Icelandic Law in 2012. Reglugerð um vernd dýra við aflífun nr. 

911/2012 [Regulation on the Protection of Animals During Slaughter No. 911/2012] art. 1, https://www.reglugerd. 

is/reglugerdir/eftir-raduneytum/atvinnuvega--og-nyskopunarraduneyti/nr/18360, archived at https://perma.cc/7VS3-

Q6H7. See also ETA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY, FINAL REPORT: EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY MISSION TO 

ICELAND FROM 5 TO 9 MAY 2014 REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF EEA LEGISLATION RELATED TO PROTECTION OF 

ANIMALS AT THE TIME OF KILLING (Sept. 1, 2014), http://www.eftasurv.int/media/public-documents/ESA_720540_ 

Final_report_Mission_to_Iceland_on_animal_welfare_at_the_time_of_killing_from_5_to_9_May_2014.pdf, 

archived at https://perma.cc/VD6U-LU43. 

73 LÖG UM VELFERÐ DÝRA (2013 No. 55, 8 April) [ACT ON ANIMAL WELFARE ACT] https://www.althingi.is/lagas/ 

nuna/2013055.html, archived at https://perma.cc/H9HN-4BF8, available in unofficial English translation at

http://www.mast.is/english/library/Reglugerðir/55_2013LogVelferddyraEN1505.pdf, archived at 

https://perma.cc/A7PA-QDB4. 
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The sedation method accepted under law depends on what animal is to be slaughtered.77 Electric 

rods are only to be used if the primary sedation method is unavailable.78

Icelandic law allows for the import of kosher and halal meat that has been slaughtered without 

prior sedation. In addition, halal slaughter is performed in Iceland by Muslims who allow for 

sedation prior to slaughter.79 Halal meat produced in Iceland is certified by the Muslim 

Association of Iceland.80 There are no export prohibitions on halal meat, but all meat must be 

slaughtered in conformance with Icelandic law. There are no legal requirements that halal meat 

be marked as halal. 

There are no pending proposals (lagafrumvörp) in the Icelandic Parliament (Althingi) to allow 

for religious slaughter without prior sedation.81 

Latvia 

According to a Latvian legal scholar, until 2009 

the slaughter without stunning of animals kept for farming purposes was prohibited. In 2009, 

Parliament passed amendments to the Animal Protection Law allowing the slaughter of 

animals kept for farming purposes using stunning after slaughter. Such slaughter must be 

performed in a slaughterhouse in accordance with the traditional methods for meat 

production of religious communities and the regulatory enactments regarding welfare 

requirements for the protection of animals . . . . These amendments were clearly intended to 

allow Latvian meat producers to access markets demanding halal and kosher food. 

Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers provide technical requirements on the slaughter of 

animals using stunning after slaughter.82 

 

 74 Id. art. 21. 

75 See id. 

76 Reglugerð um vernd dýra við aflífun, supra note 72; Reglugerð um (1.) breytingu á reglugerð nr. 911/2012 um 

velferð dýra við aflífun [Regulation on the Amendment of Regulation No. 011/2012 on the Protection of Animals 

During Slaughter], https://www.reglugerd.is/reglugerdir/eftir-raduneytum/atvinnuvega--og-nyskopunarraduneyti/ 

nr/20211, archived at https://perma.cc/Q4AP-275V . 

77 21 gr. LÖG UM VELFERÐ DÝRA. 

78 Reglugerð um vernd dýra við aflífun, supra note 72, art. 2. 

79 See Halal Certification, ICELANDIC DELICATESSEN, http://www.icelandic-delicatessen.com/halal-certification.html

(last visited Feb. 28, 2018), archived at https://perma.cc/MVW7-QQZ3. 

80 Id. 

81 For a list of pending proposals see Lagafrumvörp, ALTHINGI, https://www.althingi.is/thingstorf/thingmalalistareftir-thingum/lagafrumvorp/, archived at https://perma.cc/8FZG-95CT. 

82 EDVINS DANOVSKIS, ANNOTATED LEGAL DOCUMENTS ON ISLAM IN EUROPE: LATVIA 69 (Brill, 2017). 
Legal Restrictions on Religious Slaughter in Europe 

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Liechtenstein 

Liechtenstein generally prohibits the killing of vertebrate animals without stunning.83 However, 

ritual slaughter of poultry may be performed without stunning.84 Anyone who intentionally 

violates the provisions on animal slaughter is liable to a fine of up to CHF20,000 (around 

US$21,371).85 If the violation was negligent, the fine will be up to CHF10,000 (around 

US$10,690).86

Lithuania

Lithuania’s Law on Welfare and Protection of Animals states that the ritual slaughter of animals 

should be performed in slaughterhouses only in accordance with requirements established by 

law.87 The Law did not provide for any opportunity to kill an animal in any other manner than 

stunning until 2014, when because of the economic situation in the region and the necessity of 

finding new markets for Lithuanian beef, especially in the Arab countries, the Lithuanian 

Parliament amended the Law on Welfare and Protection of Animals to legalize the ritual 

slaughter of animals effective January 1, 2015.88 Only government-licensed companies are 

allowed to conduct ritual slaughter of animals for religious purposes and such slaughter must be 

performed in a slaughterhouse.89 

Luxembourg 

Luxembourg has required since at least 1995 that animals be stunned prior to being 

slaughtered,90 and previously did not provide any exception for religious slaughter. The 1995 

 

83 Tierschutzgesetz [TSchG] [Animal Welfare Act], Sept. 23, 2010, LIECHTENSTEINISCHES LANDESGESETZBLATT 

NUMMER [LGBL.-NR.] [LIECHTENSTEIN OFFICIAL LAW GAZETTE NO.] 2010.333, art. 20, paras. 1, 2, 

https://www.gesetze.li/konso/pdf/2010333000?version=2, archived at http://perma.cc/26MT-FQKK; 

Tierschutzverordnung [TSchV] [Animal Welfare Regulation], Dec. 14, 2010, LGBL.-NR. 2010.425, art. 178, 

para. 1, https://www.gesetze.li/konso/pdf/2010425000?version=6, archived at http://perma.cc/P7P9-JPRR; 

Verordnung über den Tierschutz beim Schlachten [VTSchS] [Regulation on Animal Welfare During the Process of 

Slaughter], Dec. 14, 2010, LGBL.-NR. 2010.428, https://www.gesetze.li/konso/pdf/2010428000?version=1, 

archived at http://perma.cc/9CJT-DDKM. 

84 Animal Welfare Regulation art. 185, para. 4. 

85 Animal Welfare Act art. 36, para. 1(o). 

86 Id. art. 36, para. 2. 

87 Law No. VIII-50 on Welfare and Protection of Animals art. 17, https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/ 

TAIS.455525?jfwid=-9dzqnu0jh, archived at https://perma.cc/J4LQ-WCCP. 

88 Facing Russia Sanctions, Lithuania OKs Ritual Slaughter, DEUTSCHE WELLE (Sept. 23, 2014), http://www.dw. 

com/en/facing-russia-sanctions-lithuania-oks-ritual-slaughter/a-17948859, archived at https://perma.cc/6UYRSVSE. 

89 DALIA VITKAUSKAITE-MEURICE, ANNOTATED LEGAL DOCUMENTS ON ISLAM IN EUROPE: LITHUANIA 120 

(Brill, 2017). 

90 Règlement grand-ducal du 19 janvier 1995 sur la protection des animaux au moment de leur abattage ou de leur 

mise à mort [Grand-Ducal Regulation of 19 January 1995 on the Protection of Animals at the Time of Their 

Slaughter or of Their Killing] arts. 5, 9, http://legilux.public.lu/eli/etat/leg/rgd/1995/01/19/n2/jo, archived at 

https://perma.cc/H9LC-2NGS. 
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regulation has since been repealed and replaced by one that transposes European Union 

Regulation (EC) No. 1099/2009 of 24 September 2009 on the protection of animals at the time of 

killing into Luxembourger law.91 Under this new regulation, there now is an exception for 

religious slaughter, subject to authorization by the government upon written request on the part 

of the religious authority.92

Netherlands93

Until recently, Dutch law made an exception for killing animals without stunning for ritual 

slaughter and also allowed the export of such meat.94 However, in July of 2017, the Dutch 

government, representatives of slaughterhouses, and Muslim and Jewish faith leaders concluded 

an addendum to their original agreement, which established rules for ritual slaughter.95 The 

addendum states that ritual slaughter is only allowed insofar as it is “necessary to meet the actual 

needs of the local religious community in the Netherlands,” thereby effectively banning the 

export of such meat.96 The stricter rules apply from January 1, 2018, onwards.97

Norway 

Norway has a population of almost 5.3 million, of which an estimated 1,200 are Jews and an 

estimated 30,000 are Muslims.98 Norway is a member of the European Economic Area. It has 

 

91 Règlement grand-ducal du 12 avril 2013 fixant les modalités d’application du règlement (CE) no 1099/2009 du 

Conseil du 24 septembre 2009 sur la protection des animaux au moment de leur mise à mort [Grand-Ducal 

Regulation of 12 April 2013 on the Application of Regulation (EC) No. 1099/2009 of 24 September 2009 on the 

Protection of Animals at the Time of Killing], http://legilux.public.lu/eli/etat/leg/rgd/2013/04/12/n1/jo, archived at 

https://perma.cc/4MBL-LJHN. 

92 Id. art. 3. 

93 At present there are no Law Library of Congress research staff members versed in Dutch. This report on Dutch 

law has been prepared by the author’s reliance on practiced legal research methods and on the basis of relevant legal 

resources, chiefly in English, currently available in the Law Library and online. 

94 Convenant onbedwelmd slachten volgens religieuze riten [Covenant on Slaughter without Stunning According to 

Religious Rites], June 5, 2012, https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/binaries/rijksoverheid/documenten/convenanten/ 

2012/06/05/convenant-onbedwelmd-slachten-volgens-religieuze-riten/convenant-onbedwelmd-slachten-volgensreligieuze-riten.pdf, archived at http://perma.cc/VS87-AF7K. 

95 Addendum bij het convenant onbedwelmd slachten volgens religieuze riten [Addendum to the Covenant on 

Slaughter Without Stunning According to Religious Rites] [Addendum], No. WJZ/ 17085228, July 5, 2017, 

https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/binaries/rijksoverheid/documenten/publicaties/2017/07/05/addendum-bij-hetconvenant-onbedwelmd-slachten-volgens-religieuze-riten/Addendum+bij+het+convenant+onbedwelmd+ 

slachten+volgens+religieuze+riten.pdf, archived at http://perma.cc/ERQ4-5YZV. 

96 Id. art. 3, para. 1. 

97 Press Release, Rijksoverheid [Dutch Government], Nadere afspraken over onbedwelmd slachten volgens 

religieuze riten [Additional Agreement on Slaughter Without Stunning According to Religious Rites] (July 5, 2017), 

https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/dierenwelzijn/nieuws/2017/07/05/nadere-afspraken-over-onbedwelmdslachten-volgens-religieuze-riten, archived at http://perma.cc/T663-5KVA. 

98 Folkemengde, SSB, https://www.ssb.no/en/befolkning/statistikker/folkemengde/kvartal (last visited Mar. 1, 2018), 

archived at https://perma.cc/5M37-TLCS; Norway, WORLD JEWISH CONGRESS, http://www.worldjewishcongress. 

org/en/about/communities/NO (last visited Feb. 28, 2018), archived at https://perma.cc/AU43-PMQP. Muslims are 

estimated to make up 5.7% of the Norwegian population, making the actual count approximately 30,000. 5 Facts 
Legal Restrictions on Religious Slaughter in Europe 

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thus transposed European Union Regulation (EC) No. 1099/2009 on protecting animals at the 

time of slaughter into its domestic legislation.99 

Slaughter of animals is regulated in the Norwegian Animal Welfare Act.100 It provides that 

animals must be sedated prior to slaughter, specifically noting that sedation is also required for 

religiously slaughtered animals.101 

The sedation method accepted under law depends on what animal is to be slaughtered.102 Poultry 

and sheep may be sedated using electricity, a nonpenetrating bolt, or a penetrating bolt.103 Cattle 

may only be slaughtered using a penetrating bolt pistol.104 There are no additional requirements 

for religiously slaughtered animals.105

Norwegian law allows for the import of kosher and halal meat that has been slaughtered without 

prior sedation. In addition, halal slaughter is performed in Norway by Muslims who allow for 

sedation prior to slaughter.106 Halal meat slaughtered in Norway may be exported, provided the 

slaughter is performed in accordance with Norwegian law.107 Halal-marked food must meet the 

same labeling requirements as other food products, including not being misleading to consumers 

as to the content and origin of the product.108 

There are no pending proposals in the Norwegian Parliament to allow for religious slaughter 

without prior sedation.109 

 about the Muslim Population in Europe, FACT TANK (Pew Research Center. Nov. 29, 2017), http://www.pew 

research.org/fact-tank/2017/11/29/5-facts-about-the-muslim-population-in-europe/, archived at

https://perma.cc/AT9K-TMCY. 

99 See § 2 Forskrift om avliving av dyr [Regulation on the Killing of Animals] (FOR 2013-01-13-60), https://lovdata. 

no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2013-01-13-60, archived at https://perma.cc/2NLA-X5BE. 

100 LOV OM DYREVELFERD [ANIMAL WELFARE ACT] (LOV 2009-06-19-97), https://lovdata.no/dokument/NL/lov/ 

2009-06-19-97, archived at https://perma.cc/G5Z6-SRL3. 

101 § 12 st 2 LOV OM DYREVELFERD; § 9 Forskrift om avliving av dyr. 

102 Vedlegg i liste over bedøvninsmetoder og tillhørende spesifikasjoner [Addendum with Sedation Methods and 

Additional Specifications], in Forskrift om avliving av dyr, supra note 99. 

103 Id. 

104 Id. 

105 See LOV OM DYREVELFERD; Forskrift om avliving av dyr (including vedlegg), supra note 99. 

106 Halal-slakting i Norge, MATPORTALEN.NO, http://www.matportalen.no/matvaregrupper/tema/fjorfe_og_kjott/ 

halal-slakting_i_norge (last visited Feb. 28, 2018), archived at https://perma.cc/HR3F-CZEG. 

107 For an example of reported halal export see Sara Malm, Norway Produces Halal Reindeer Meat, Prepares to 

Export, MUSLIM VILLAGE (Dec. 4, 2013), https://muslimvillage.com/2013/12/04/46967/norway-produces-halalreindeer-meat-prepares-export/, archived at https://perma.cc/5M3U-7525. 

108 See 12 av 40 hadde for dårlig kontroll med halal-merket mat [12 out of 40 Had Too Little Control over Halal 

Labeled Food], MATPORTALEN, http://www.matportalen.no/verktoy/tilsynsresultater/12_av_40_hadde_for_ 

daarlig_kontroll_med_halal-merket_mat (last visited Feb. 28, 2018), archived at https://perma.cc/9XZF-V5JW. 

109 See STORTINGET, https://www.stortinget.no/no (last visited Mar. 23, 2018), archived at https://perma.cc/VXQ7-

CEG8. 
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Poland

The slaughter of animals without stunning has at times been prohibited in Poland, but at present 

it is permitted. A provision of the Animal Protection Act that allowed for religious exceptions to 

pre-slaughter stunning, the only accepted method of animal killing, was repealed in 2002.110 

Nonetheless, the Jewish community has been allowed to continue slaughtering animals for 

religious purposes pursuant to the 1997 Act on the Relationship between the State and Jewish 

Religious Communities in the Republic of Poland.111 Followers of Islam, however, had not been 

legally permitted to conduct ritual slaughter without stunning the animal.112 An attempt to 

correct this situation was initiated by the Minister of Agriculture in 2004 when he issued a decree 

allowing for an exception to the requirement to stun an animal prior to slaughter in the case of 

animals slaughtered according to the religious traditions of registered religious communities. 

This decision was overturned by a 2012 decision by the Constitutional Tribunal of Poland, made 

effective January 1, 2013, which said that a government minister does not have the authority to 

amend the laws.113 However, in December 2014, in another decision, the Constitutional Tribunal 

ruled that insofar as the Animal Protection Act does not allow an exception to permit religious 

forms of slaughter, it is inconsistent with freedom of religion provisions of the Polish 

Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights, and therefore ritual slaughter must 

be permitted.114

Recent news reports have indicated that pending legislation to revise the animal welfare law 

could impose restrictions on kosher slaughter and block the export of kosher meat from 

Poland.115 The extent to which the legislation would in fact affect religious slaughter 

is unclear.116 

 

 

110 Ustawa o Zmiane Ustawy o Ochronje Zwierzat [Law on Amending the Law on Protection of Animals], Aug. 6, 

2002, DZIENNIK USTAW [Dz.U.] [DIARY OF LAWS] (official gazette) 2002, No. 135, Item 1141, http://www.dzienni 

kustaw.gov.pl/du/2002/1141/D2002135114101.pdf, archived at https://perma.cc/Z5HN-P5PW. 

111 Ustawa o Stosunku Panstwa do Gmin Wyznaniowych Zydowskich w Rzeczypospolitej Polskej [Law on 

Relationship between the State and Jewish Religious Communities in the Republic of Poland], DZ.U. 1997, No. 41, 

Item 251, art. 9(2), http://www.dziennikustaw.gov.pl/du/1997/251/D1997041025101.pdf, archived at

https://perma.cc/AJY3-7RWF. 

112 PAWEL BORECKI, ANNOTATED LEGAL DOCUMENTS ON ISLAM IN EUROPE: POLAND 110 (Brill, 2014). 

113 Id. at 11. 

114 Judgment of 10 Dec. 2014, Ref. No. K 52/13, http://trybunal.gov.pl/en/hearings/judgments/art/7276-ubojrytualny/, archived at https://perma.cc/8YUF-VEU6. 

115 Ofer Aderet, Polish Legislation Could Limit Kosher Slaughter, HAARETZ, Feb. 12, 2018, 

https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/europe/polish-legislation-could-constrain-kosher-slaughter-1.5809341, 

archived at https://perma.cc/88N4-MK2J. 

116 Yaakov Schwartz, Polish Lawmaker Backs Jews Fighting Proposed Ritual Slaughter Ban, TIMES OF ISRAEL (Feb. 

25, 2018), https://www.timesofisrael.com/polish-lawmaker-backs-jews-fighting-proposed-ritual-slaughter-ban/, 

archived at https://perma.cc/92US-B8XH. 
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Slovenia

Slovenia’s Animal Welfare Act117 was amended in 2012 to add provisions banning all ritual 

slaughter of animals.118 

Spain 

Under Law 32/2007 on the Care, Exploitation, Transportation and Sacrifice of Animals,119 Spain 

allows religious slaughter without previous stunning in approved slaughterhouses, provided that 

such procedure does not violate fundamental rights, public safety, health, and morality protected 

by law.120 The religious community or slaughterhouse must notify the competent authority that 

religious slaughter will be carried out or seek the pertinent permission.121 Religious slaughter 

must be carried out under the supervision and instructions of an official veterinarian.122

Royal Decree 37/2014 Regulating Aspects Related to the Protection of Animals to Be 

Slaughtered123 implements Law 32/2007 and provides for specific licensing, training, and 

certification requirements for slaughterhouses and veterinarians carrying out the slaughter of 

animals.124 It provides for the requirement of a license certifying their competence, to guarantee 

that the persons in charge of carrying out the slaughter have the necessary ability 

and experience.125

 

117 Zakon o Zaščiti Živali [Animal Welfare Act], Nov. 28, 1999, available at http://extwprlegs1.fao.org/docs/ 

html/slv 101698.htm (in Slovenian), archived at https://perma.cc/63ZW-5BGM. 

118 Slovenia to Ban Ritual Slaughter, STA (Sept. 27, 2012), https://english.sta.si/1804329/slovenia-to-ban-ritualslaughter. 

119 Ley 32/2007 para el Cuidado de los Animales, en su Explotación, Transporte, Experimentación y Sacrificio [Law 

32/2007 on the Care, Exploitation, Transport, and Sacrifice of Animals] art. 6.3, BOLETIN OFICIAL DEL ESTADO 

[B.O.E.], Nov. 8, 2007, https://www.boe.es/buscar/pdf/2007/BOE-A-2007-19321-consolidado.pdf, archived at 

https://perma.cc/HXT8-BBTV.

120 Id. art. 6.3, para 1. 

121 Id. art. 6.3, para. 3. 

122 Id. art. 6.3, para. 2. 

123 Real Decreto 37/2014 por el que se Regulan Aspectos Relativos a la Protección de los Animales en el Momento 

de la Matanza [Royal Decree 37/2014 Regulating Aspects related to the Protection of Animals to be Slaughtered], 

B.O.E., Feb. 1, 2014, https://www.boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-A-2014-1054, archived at 

https://perma.cc/G4WZ-YAUF.

124 Id. arts. 3 & 4. 

125 Id.
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Violations of the Law and its Regulation are subject to fines of €601 to €6,000 (approximately 

US$740 to $7,384).126 Additionally, violators may be subject to the suspension of activities 

and/or closing of the slaughterhouse.127

No restrictions on the export of kosher or halal meat were identified. 

Sweden 

Sweden has a population of approximately 10.1 million people.128 Statistics Sweden (the 

national statistics bureau) does not provide statistics for religious affiliation or ethnic 

background, but others have estimated that there are 18,000 Jews129 and 810,000 Muslims130

living in Sweden. Sweden banned slaughter without prior sedation in 1937.131 

The slaughter of animals is regulated by Sweden’s Animal Protections Act,132 which provides 

that animals must be sedated prior to slaughter.133 There is no exception for 

religious slaughter.134

The sedation method accepted under law depends on what animal is to be slaughtered. Poultry 

and sheep may be sedated using electricity.135 Cattle may only be slaughtered using a penetrating 

 

126 Ley 32/2007 art. 16.b. 

127 Id. art. 17. 

128 STATISTISKA CENTRALBYÅN [STATISTICS SWEDEN], http://www.scb.se/ (last visited Feb. 27, 2018), archived at 

https://perma.cc/REH2-4RDK. 

129 Sweden, WORLD JEWISH CONGRESS, http://www.worldjewishcongress.org/en/about/communities/SE (last visited 

Feb. 27, 2018), archived at https://perma.cc/3MRF-C8ZV. 

130 The Pew Research Institute estimated that in 2016, 8.1% of Sweden’s population was Muslim, equaling 810,000 

persons. Europe’s Growing Muslim Population, PEW RESEARCH INSTITUTE (Nov. 29, 2017), http://www.pewforum. 

org/2017/11/29/europes-growing-muslim-population/, archived at https://perma.cc/Y4NH-6HCG. 

131 LAG OM SLAKT AV HUSDJUR [ACT ON SLAUGHTER OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS] (Svensk författningssamling [SFS] 

1937:313). For further reading on the 1937 Act see ELIN HOFVERBERG, SWEDEN: SLAUGHTER OF DOMESTIC 

ANIMALS (Law Library of Congress, May 2014), http://www.loc.gov/law/help/slaughter-domestic-animals/ 

slaughter-of-domestic-animals-sweden.pdf, archived at https://perma.cc/D3DS-MKJD. Adoption of the 1937 Act 

was preceded by discussions on the implications for Jews in Sweden. Id. 

132 DJURSKYDDSLAGEN [ANIMAL PROTECTIONS ACT] (SFS 1988:534), http://www.notisum.se/rnp/sls/lag/ 

19880534.htm, archived at https://perma.cc/29EH-QQ7D. 

133 Id. 14 §.

134 See id. 

135 7 kap. 3 § Statens jordbruksverks föreskrifter och allmänna råd om slakt och annan avlivning av djur [Swedish 

Board of Agricultural Regulations and Guidelines on Slaughter and Other Killing of Animals] (SJVFS 2012:27), 

http://www.jordbruksverket.se/download/18.3c1967aa13afeea1eb88000854/1370040540522/2012-027.pdf, 

archived at https://perma.cc/9XKZ-3ARF. 
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bolt pistol.136 There are no additional requirements for religiously slaughtered animals compared 

with nonreligiously slaughtered animals.137

Swedish law allows for the import of kosher and halal meat that has been slaughtered without 

prior sedation. In addition, halal slaughter is performed in Sweden by Shafi and Hanifi Muslims 

who allow for sedation prior to slaughter.138 Halal meat, like all other meat slaughtered in 

Sweden, may be exported, provided the slaughter is performed in accordance with Swedish law. 

There are no requirements that halal meat be marked as halal.139 

There are no pending proposals (motioner) in the Swedish Parliament to allow for unsedated 

religious slaughter. The anti-immigration Sverigedemokraterna (Swedish Democrats) party has 

put forward a proposal that would require labeling of imported meat from animals slaughtered 

without prior sedation, specifically referring to a ban on kosher and halal products.140 Both the 

Jewish congregation in Stockholm and Muslim representatives are actively lobbying the Swedish 

Parliament to allow for slaughter in accordance with kosher and halal practices, i.e., without 

prior sedation of the animal.141

The Swedish government has presented a proposal to the law council (lagrådsremiss) for a new 

Animal Welfare Act.142 The proposal would not allow for religious slaughter without 

prior sedation.143 

 

136 Id. 

137 See DJURSKYDDSLAGEN; Statens jordbruksverks föreskrifter och allmänna råd om slakt och annan avlivning av 

djur (SJVFS 2012:27). For more information on religious slaughter in Sweden see Religös slakt, JORDBRUKSVERKET 

(Feb. 13, 2018), http://www.jordbruksverket.se/amnesomraden/djur/djurskydd/slaktochannanavlivning/religiosslakt. 

4.37cbf7b711fa9dda7a18000220.html, archived at https://perma.cc/EQ5Z-SZXS. 

138 See Halalstandard för muslimer i Sverige, HALALCERTIFIERING (2013), http://www.halalcertifiering.se/halal 

standard.pdf, archived at https://perma.cc/SKH2-RGFN; see also Religiös slakt, JORDBRUKSVERKET, supra

note 137. 

139 See Religiös slakt, JORDBRUKSVERKET, supra note 137; Regler om livsmedelsinformation och märkning, 

LIVSMEDELSVERKET (Feb. 28, 2018), https://www.livsmedelsverket.se/produktion-handel--kontroll/livsmedels 

information-markning-och-pastaenden/regler-om-livsmedelsinformation-och-markning, archived at 

https://perma.cc/492A-RJEW. 

140 Förbud mot halal- och koscherslakt [Ban on Halal and Kosher Slaughter], Motion [Bill Proposal] 2017/18:2381, 

http://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-lagar/dokument/motion/forbud-mot-halal--och-koscherslakt_H5022381, 

archived at https://perma.cc/N8Q9-NDNE. 

141 Kosher, JUDISKA FÖRSAMLINGEN I STOCKHOLM, http://jfst.se/kosher/ (last visited Feb. 27, 2018), archived at

https://perma.cc/N7AJ-5FBY; Niklas Orrenius, Halalmärkt kött inte slaktat efter muslimska regler, SYDSVENSKAN

(July 28, 2007), https://www.sydsvenskan.se/2007-07-28/halalmarkt-kott-inte-slaktat-efter-muslimska-regler. 

142 Lagrådsremiss Ny djurskyddslag, remiss till Lagrådet [Law Council Referral, New Animal Welfare Act, Referral 

to Council on Legislation] (Jan. 11, 2018), http://www.regeringen.se/48e156/contentassets/4fd98800f4 

764cf4ae2b4935d58bf66e/lagradsremiss-ny-djurskyddslag-slutlig-080111.pdf, archived at https://perma.cc/2BCLG7SZ. 

143 Id. 
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Switzerland 

Switzerland generally prohibits the killing of vertebrate animals without stunning.144 However, 

ritual slaughter of poultry may be performed without stunning.145 Anyone who intentionally 

violates the provisions on animal slaughter is liable to a fine of up to CHF20,000 (around 

US$21,371).146

 

144 Tierschutzgesetz [TSchG] [Animal Welfare Act], Dec. 16, 2005, SYSTEMATISCHE RECHTSSAMMLUNG [SR]

[SYSTEMATIC COLLECTION OF LAWS] 455, art. 21, paras. 1, 2, https://www.admin.ch/opc/de/classifiedcompilation/20022103/201705010000/455.pdf, archived at http://perma.cc/6D9E-N2X7; Tierschutzverordnung 

[TSchV] [Animal Welfare Regulation], Apr. 23, 2008, SR 455.1, art. 178, para. 1, https://www.admin.ch/opc/de/ 

classified-compilation/20080796/201802060000/455.1.pdf, archived at http://perma.cc/T3BE-QLM4; Verordnung 

des BLV über den Tierschutz beim Schlachten [VTSchS] [Regulation of the BLV on Animal Welfare During the 

Process of Slaughter], Aug. 12, 2010, SR 455.110.2, https://www.admin.ch/opc/de/classified-compilation/ 

20080808/201012010000/455.110.2.pdf, archived at http://perma.cc/7RSX-ND9W. 

145 Animal Welfare Regulation art. 185, para. 4. 

146 Animal Welfare Act art. 28, para. 1(f).