The Jewish community has been told to watch closely for scientific developments that would make its traditional method of animal slaughter more humane.
The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee has recommended a dispensation from normal slaughter rules to allow "Shechita", the Jewish method, to be practised.
A minimum standard requires that
all animals undergoing commercial slaughter be stunned effectively before the throat or neck is cut.
Unlike the Muslim Halal method, Shechita does not meet the standard. But the committee said a dispensation was necessary under the Bill of Rights.
However, MAF considered it "desirable" that the Jewish community participate in discussions "regarding scientific ... developments in the humane slaughter arena".
The committee expressed concern about the long period between the neck being cut and the loss of brain activity in poultry, stated as being around 90 seconds.
It also questioned a Jewish practice of not processing the hindquarters of sheep and cattle.
Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton has approved the committee's position being included in the code of welfare for the commercial slaughter of animals.
- NZPA
