French Authorities Warn of Penalties for Illegal Sheep Slaughter During Eid al-Adha

As Eid al-Adha approaches, the prefectures of Nord and Pas-de-Calais remind of the rules to follow for sheep slaughter and transport of live animals. It is strictly forbidden to slaughter sheep outside of approved slaughterhouses. This is to ensure animal protection, meat safety, sanitary security, and respect for the environment. Anyone violating this rule faces a penalty of up to 6 months in prison and a €15,000 fine.

This year, no temporary slaughterhouses will be set up in the two departments, the prefectures indicate, emphasizing that only approved slaughterhouses in Douai and Bailleul are authorized to perform ritual slaughter. For Eid al-Adha 2025, French Muslims are therefore invited to turn to approved slaughterhouses, halal butchers, or supermarkets for their various meat or carcass needs, or to a qualified breeder who will ensure the transport of live animals to an authorized site.

Targeted control operations will be conducted by competent services in both departments until June 11 inclusive, to ensure compliance with rules regarding animal transport, sheep identification, slaughter, and conformity of meat offered for sale. Illegally transported or slaughtered animals may be seized and transferred to a holding facility.

Due to risks related to foot-and-mouth disease, a highly contagious animal disease detected in Germany and Hungary since the beginning of the year, the prefectures of Nord and Pas-de-Calais remind that the import of sheep or meat from at-risk countries such as Morocco, Algeria, or Romania is strictly prohibited.