PR: Denmark bans kosher slaughter • Video

Minister of Agriculture and Food of Denmark signed this week (Thursday) on the regulation prohibiting the slaughtering of poultry and livestock, without stunning them first - as opposed to halacha.

The Minister, Dan Jorgensen, said he was glad because the approval of the law amendment since "the rights of animals precede any religion." The amendment will take effect next Monday.

Following the approval of the amendment, CEO of the Association of Jewish Organizations in the European Union, Rabbi Menachem Margolin, turned to the Prime Minister of Denmark to cancel the amendment. Rabbi Margolin said that this is harming the religious rights of Jews and Muslims. The Rabbi also addressed EU leaders with a call not to harm the basic living conditions of the Jewish community in Denmark and any other country in Europe.

The letter sent by Rabbi Margolin to union leaders and the prime minister of Denmark said: "Kosher slaughter is basic minimum required for Jewish communal life wherever they are. The ban on kosher slaughter in Denmark harms the Jews from many countries in Europe and worldwide."

One should note that 6000 families live in Denmark, for years the Jewish community in Denmark does not activate a slaughterhouse in Denmark and imports its meat from abroad.

Dr. Moshe Kantor, President of European Jewish Congress, said he was surprised by the decision and that the government of Denmark reasoned it with the protection of animals.

According to him, this argument is contrary to "the appalling display on Sunday - when a giraffe was slaughtered and underwent a barbaric autopsy in front of school children in a zoo in Denmark."

He added: "It is hoped that this step of the government of Denmark is not meant to please the animal rights activists following international criticism leveled against it after this public massacre."

View the killing of the giraffe last week in Copenhagen:

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!