Deputies Chris Le Tissier and John Dyke tried to introduce a prohibition against the slaughter of animals by Halal, Shechita or other bloodletting processes. These processes don’t currently take place in Guernsey.
“These bloodletting methods of killing… are, to my mind, a particularly horrible and cruel thing unless the animals are fully stunned,” said Deputy Dyke.
“I would highly recommend this proposition to make it completely clear that this sort of horrible cruelty cannot happen in Guernsey.“
Pictured : (L-R) Deputies Le Tissier and Dyke.
While many in the chamber agreed with the sentiment of the amendment, concerns were raised with Guernsey’s appearance on the world stage.
“Whilst personally, I, both as an individual citizen of this island and as a follower of Jesus, actually detest the sort of practices that are alluded to here, I think there’s a difference between a personal dislike of those particular things and being able to… make a decision that we as a community will bring in legislation to ban it, without seeking to know what the implications of those things are,” said Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq.
Deputy Charles Parkinson argued a similar sentiment: “While I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments behind [this], I do think there are risks around this amendment in terms of Guernsey’s national and possibly even international reputation
“I think these late amendments, well intentioned as they may be, expose the States to risks which should be considered carefully.”
Many were also confused as to whether the practice of Halal is something that actually happens in Guernsey.
“I’m reluctant to be seen as voting against it,” said Deputy Peter Roffey, “but I just do see it as wholly unnecessary… [these activities] certainly don’t go on in our slaughterhouse.
“I would look to the President of E&I if she’s able to tell me whether or not these methods of slaughtering by draining a blood of an un-stunned animal are permittable now, because I don’t believe that they are, and therefore I’m reluctant to go around voting for amendments to ban things that are already banned.”
“I’m rather assuming that everybody who voted against the marriage age thing yesterday on the basis that it’s not happening in Guernsey, will also vote against this amendment because it’s not happening in Guernsey,” added Deputy Yvonne Burford.
“I will be voting against it purely because I really think this is a bad practice of having these on the hoof amendments. This policy letter has been in the public domain for some considerable time, and the proposer and the seconder could have engaged with the Committee on this matter, and they could have perhaps bought an amendment if it was necessary.”
Similarly, Deputy Marc Leadbeater said: “I’m not going to support this amendment. I’m not a fan of ritual slaughter. I’m not a fan of animal cruelty, but there is no evidence to suggest that we have an issue with ritual slaughter.”
“We have to have evidence to underpin it, and I don’t think there is any evidence to underpin this“
This was clarified by Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, the President of Environment and Infrastructure, who said this type of slaughter would require an exemption and there has never been a request for one.
“[And] I don’t think an exemption would be supported very easily… however well intentioned this amendment is, it is [also] a bit problematic in the way that it is currently worded because of the lack of reference to ‘non stun’, which really is what we need in here, and the inclusion of certain religious connotations, which really has nothing to do with the animal welfare issue.”
The potential banning of this type of slaughter would not have stopped Halal meat being imported into the island.
The amendment only drummed up nine in support and was lost. However, all the welfare legislation propositions were subsequently passed with only one other amendment.
What is Halal and Schechita?
Many Jews and Muslims eat meat prepared under certain religious guidelines. For Jews this is kosher and for Muslims this is halal.
Kosher meat is produced via process called schechita and halal through a process of dhabihah. While it is commonly thought that these methods prohibit animals being stunned before being killed, it isn’t quite true. The Quran determines that an animal can be stunned, as long as it is only dazed, not killed.
The killing action is the slitting of an animal’s throat. It is then hanged while the blood drains out. This can take up to four minutes.
