French Halal Certification Bodies Clash Over New Poultry Slaughter Regulations

According to the three halal certification bodies, this directive published on November 23 by the Ministry of Agriculture would compromise the halal ritual slaughter of poultry. "As of July 2021, the halal ritual slaughter of poultry in France will no longer be authorized," they said.

This technical directive only removes electronarcosis (use of an electrified water bath to stun the animals before their slaughter), rectifies the French Union of Muslim Consumers, which explains that "this process was tolerated by veterinarians." From now on, the directive requires qualified personnel, equipment and compliance with indicators attesting to the vital consciousness of the animals.

For Kamel Kabtane, rector of the Grand Mosque of Lyon and signatory of the press release, the use of attenuated electronarcosis (unconscious but living animal) was in accordance with the halal ritual sacrifice. "This directive was drawn up in secret. We only learned about it in January. Before, the animals were stunned but after two minutes they became mobile again. With these new standards, tested under bailiff control, all our animals were dead!" describes Kabtane.

This directive forces opponents of electronarcosis, even attenuated, to resort to the import of sacrificed meats and would create a break in the consumption patterns and practices of Muslims.