The Brussels-Capital Region Government has again adjourned discussions about the controversial Animal Welfare Code until its next meeting, sources within the office of Minister-President Rudi Vervoort (PS) have stated.
The document, written by Minister for Animal Welfare Bernard Clerfayt (DéFI), requires a third reading by the government before being presented to the parliament. Although the content of the code is not contentious, a proposed amendment to reintroduce the ban on slaughter without stunning has irritated coalition partners.
Several majority groups have stated they’ll allow their MPs to vote freely, suggesting the provision could pass despite narrowly being rejected two years ago.
The Socialist Party (PS) have no intention of reigniting this sensitive debate, which has implications for the Jewish and Muslim communities. They have emphasised that without majority discipline in Parliament, the issue won’t make it to a third reading. Thursday’s meeting occurred via video conference and Clerfayt requested a face-to-face discussion on the matter. The issue is set to be heard on 18 April.
Ritual slaughter without stunning has been banned in both Flanders and Wallonia. But in Brussels, it is still permitted and practised during religious festivals, notably of the Jewish and Muslim faiths. Fearing that the matter will divide voters, Brussels Minister-President Vervoort has recently opposed efforts to revise the law, stating his preference to wait until after the elections in June.
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Wednesday saw attempts fail to reach an internal consensus within the majority (PS, Ecolo, DéFI, Open Vld, Groen, Vooruit). Clerfayt consequently insisted this case be treated as a priority and urged the PS to “establish a calm and constructive work environment to allow the text to pass before the end of the legislature.”
Animal rights organisation GAIA reacted strongly to the further delay, saying it has been victim of "a shameful political game". The group's president Michel Vandenbosch criticised the latest proposal as "sheer electoral ambition".
