New animal welfare code impacts on Jewish new Zealanders

Australian Herald Monday 9th August, 2010

The Jewish Community in New Zealand can continue to kill animals in the kosher tradition, even though a new animal welfare code has effectively banned the method.

The commercial slaughter code introduced earlier this year into the country requires all animals to be stunned before they’re killed.

But the Jewish practice of shechita, requires animals to have their throats cut without stunning.

While shechita had been allowed under previous animal welfare rules, the new code means meat processed according to Jewish religious laws would have to be imported from Australia.

Lawyers for representatives of the Jewish community filed legal proceedings against the Minister of Agriculture last week, seeking a restoration of the right to practice the kosher tradition in New Zealand.

An agreement for relief from the code was reached in court on Monday.

The temporary arrangement will once again be challenged when the matter goes to trial next year.