Brussels Residents Overwhelmingly Support Animal Stunning Before Slaughter, Survey Shows

These are the results of a survey conducted by the Ministry of Animal Welfare, as part of a citizen consultation on the overhaul of the 1986 animal welfare law.

Specifically, more than 70% of respondents support the imposition of prior stunning for any animal slaughter, said Brussels Minister of Animal Welfare Bernard Clerfayt, specifying that 2,135 people responded to the survey, either online or by submitting a paper form in one of the 18 partner municipalities.

In addition, 80% of respondents felt that the current sanctions in terms of animal protection are insufficient. To remedy this, they proposed imposing "animal welfare community service" on guilty owners.

For Minister Clerfayt, this is the beginning of a reform for animal conditions: "The popular consultation, but also that of the sectors related to animal welfare, will allow the birth of a balanced Brussels Animal Welfare Code. Especially since this Code will be the biggest reform carried out in terms of animal welfare".