What percentage of meat is currently slaughtered according to halal or shechita practices? What is the impact on animal welfare and how can this be improved? How is religious slaughter regulated in the various EU countries? The outcome of these and other questions were presented on 15 to 16 March in Istanbul, at the end-of-project meeting of the EU DIALREL project (dialogue on religious slaughter), in the presence of some 80 participants – including legislators, animal scientists, sociologists and representatives of the religious communities concerned.

According to the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE), this three-year research project was launched in October 2006 to explore the conditions for promoting the dialogue between interested parties and stakeholders, facilitating the adoption of good religious slaughter practices. An additional aim of the multidisciplinary project team was to review and propose a mechanism for the implementation and monitoring of good practices.

To this end, a number of investigations, field studies, surveys and meetings were held, of which the results were presented and discussed in Istanbul.

The final recommendations will be drafted during a meeting on 1 to 2 June. For a report on the main findings of veterinary interest, click here.