Shechita – Rabbinical Council of Victoria has its say
The Rabbinical Council of Victoria (RCV) has rejected claims that the ritual slaughter of sheep in accordance with Jewish law is inhumane and should be banned.
Notwithstanding ill‐informed assertions to the contrary, the slaughter of animals in conformity with Jewish religious tradition is a quick and painless method of killing. In particular, the claim by one reporter of ‘The Sunday Age’ (26 June, 2011) that studies by the federal Department of Agriculture have found that the Jewish method of slaughter causes pain or distress misrepresents the relevant studies which in fact indicate that such a conclusion is merely a “presumption”.
Research demonstrates that the Jewish method of killing animals for food is a painless and humane method of animal slaughter, according to Dr. Stuart Rosen of the Imperial College in London. Professor Temple Grandin, arguably the world’s foremost authority on the humane treatment of livestock, asserts in the April 2010 edition of Meat and Poultry magazine that Kosher slaughter of animals is humane. Indeed, studies show that catastrophic drop in blood pressure in the animal’s brain which results from the severing of the carotid artery and jugular vein as required by Jewish tradition, produces unconsciousness in less than two seconds.
Jewish law is insistent about not inflicting unnecessary pain on animals and emphasises the humane treatment of all living beings. Any claim that the same Divine being Who strictly prohibits cruelty to animals concurrently mandates a mode of animal slaughter which is anything but the least painful, is untenable.
Whilst the RCV recognizes that many who are pushing for a ban on shechitah in Australia may be well intentioned, their statements are unfortunately misguided and misinformed.
Both kosher and halah killings are cruel if stunning is not permitted before slaughter and should not be allowed under any circumstances.
Where can one read these “relevant studies”?