An amendment to the new EU food information rules, calling for shechita, the kosher Jewish laughter of animals, to be singled out for specific labeling as “meat from slaughter without stunning,” was rejected by the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
The amendment, originally voted by a committee of the EU Parliament, was rejected after a compromise was reached with the EU member states and the EU Commission.
The compromise, backed by 606 MEPs in favour and 46 against, is a commitment that a study on the opportunity to provide consumers with the relevant information on the stunning of animals should be considered in the context of future Union strategy for the protection and welfare of animals.
Henry Grunwald, chairman of Shechita UK, a London-based organization that is campaigning against a new labeling, said: "This is the result that we had sought from the outset of our long campaign. We are so very grateful for the huge support that we received from the community. However, I do again have to reiterate that we will have to work even harder to address the matter when it comes up for discussion in the animal welfare plan later in the year."
The new EU labeling regulation is aimed at offering a clearer information for consumers.