Brussels, January 31, 2020 -

In February 2016, several Muslim organizations brought the Flemish Region to court.
They considered that the ban on the slaughter without stunning of animals on temporary slaughter sites as part of the feast of sacrifice was unjust, a measure introduced by the Flemish Minister for Animal Welfare, Ben Weyts (N -GO).
These associations were dismissed by the Dutch-speaking court of first instance

"The 2009 European Regulations on the slaughter of animals remain fully applicable," comments Michel Vandenbosch, President of GAIA.
"Slaughter without stunning on temporary slaughter sites was, is and will remain prohibited!"
In 2016, slaughter without stunning was only allowed in Belgium in permanent slaughterhouses (a rule dictated by European Regulation N ° 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing).
Ben Weyts (N-VA), the Flemish Minister for Animal Welfare, had therefore decided to introduce a ban on slaughter without stunning on temporary slaughter sites.
Indeed, these do not meet the strict requirements in terms of hygiene and animal welfare which apply to approved permanent slaughterhouses.
But some Muslim organizations disagreed; they considered that the ban contravened certain fundamental European legal provisions, in particular with regard to religious freedom and non-discrimination.

No violation of freedom of worship!

These organizations turned to the Court of First Instance which, in turn, submitted a "preliminary question" to the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg.
In its judgment of May 29, 2018, the Court of Justice held that the Minister of Animal Welfare was right to introduce a ban on the slaughter without stunning on temporary slaughter sites.
Today, the Court of First Instance followed up on this ruling, and declared that the complaint by the Muslim organizations was unfounded.
In other words: the prohibition of slaughter without stunning on temporary slaughter sites does not constitute an offense against religious freedom.

Michel Vandenbosch, President of GAIA, comments:
“GAIA intervened in this case to support the Flemish Region and its Minister of Animal Welfare, Ben Weyts (N-VA).
This verdict is a very good thing.
A different judgment would have recreated the chaos of home slaughtering - banned since 1988 - and / or the incapacity that animals underwent on temporary slaughter sites. "
Maître Anthon Godfroid, the lawyer of GAIA, explains
“Behind this affair, we can see a strategic test carried out by Muslim organizations: they wanted to see how far their complaint could go.
Following the judgment of the Court of Justice - which considered the case so important that it dealt with it in a grand chamber by judges appointed by almost all EU member states -, the Dutch-speaking court of first instance made the only decision necessary: ​​he rejected the requests of religious organizations.
Justice is here on the side of animals.
Today is a good day for the thousands of sheep slaughtered in a chaotic manner and in unnecessary suffering at temporary slaughter sites.
Temporary slaughterhouses remain illegal ! "