Eid al-Adha 2025 France: Sheep Shortage Changes Sacrifice Rules

Every year, the French livestock market tightens before the feast of sacrifice. Sheep births occur in the first quarter, making animals aged six months particularly rare at the end of May. Supply thus proves structurally unable to meet very strong demand, a reality detailed by Saphirnews. Faced with this recurring shortage of animals conforming to traditional religious criteria, religious authorities adopt opposing strategies.

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The AVS certification body has decided to act with caution. As of May 4, it announced that it "will not proceed with the certification of sheep sacrifice this year," limiting its action to cattle over two years old. This decision is explained by the impossibility of rigorously verifying the age of sheep in large volumes, due to the lack of individual identification system. The body thus invites the faithful who can to turn to partner butchers for bovine sacrifice.

For its part, the Muslim Theological Council of France (CTMF) chose adaptation. Drawing on religious texts, the body exceptionally permits the sacrifice of lambs under six months old. It justifies this position by the evolution of agricultural techniques. Nowadays, a lamb of three or four months can reach between 35 and 40 kilos. The CTMF also recalls that "age was not sought for itself, but as an indicator of sufficient development, particularly in terms of meat."

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This religious authorization remains conditional. It is described as an exceptional exemption justified by necessity and the legal rule stipulating that difficulty brings ease. The CTMF clarifies that this principle "does not apply when animals meeting the age conditions are available." Between AVS’s strict market withdrawal and the CTMF’s theological flexibility, it will ultimately be up to each believer to make their choice to accomplish this ancient ritual.