other shoe drops: Halal & Kosher slaughtering still OK in UK

This was such an interesting story. It pitted lovers of animals (many of whom are Jews and Muslims) against observant Muslims and Jews (many of whom are also lovers of animals). It was a real political bus-train wreck, not to mention a Set Theory nightmare.

Poor Queen ... this wasn't her idea in the first place. It's moments like this that she probably does wish she could still lop some heads off. First they take all her old autocratic powers away, and then everything the government does, they stamp her name all over it, like it's her fault and she's responsible. Every year when Parliament opens, the Prime Minister writes a speech for her to speak like a ventriloquist's dummy. And that crazy family of hers!

Anyway, FAWC's Great Idea made a big noise when they issued their recommendation to ban Kosher and Halal slaughtering, but here where we all wear coonskin caps and smear ourselves all over with bear grease to keep warm in the winter, I was dying to know what happened!

But one reason we in the boondocks & sticks didn't know is that Her Majesty only rejected FAWC's recommendation last month!

So I went to FAWC's website and found this poor gentleman, and I e-mailed him. An hour later he e-mailed me back! Superbureaucrat!

But grrrrrr ... I can't connect with www.defra.gov.uk this morning -- their bureaucrats suck -- so the news release Mr Aram pointed me to will have to wait.

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-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Merkin [mailto:bobmerk@earthlink.net]
Sent: 29 April 2005 13:23
To: Aram, Richard N (AHAW)
Subject: What happened with Kosher/Halal slaughtering?

Mr Richard Aram
Assistant Secretary FAWC

Dear Mr Aram,

I would very much appreciate knowing the resolution of FAWC's June 2003 recommendation to HM Government that Kosher and Halal methods of slaughtering be prohibited.

Are Kosher and Halal methods still permitted, or has HM Government prohibited these practices?

It's very difficult to get these kinds of follow-up details here in the United States. FAWC's initial recommendation was broadcast on BBC-TV at the time, but I haven't been able to clarify what actions followed.

Thank you very much.

Yours,

Bob Merkin

Northampton Massachusetts USA

=====================

Mr Merkin

The GB Government did not accept FAWC's recommnedations for the practice of slaughter without prior stunning to be ended.

A press notice announcing the Government's response to FAWC's Report on the Welfare of Farmed Animals at Slaughter or Killing: Part One: Red Meat Animals was issued on 8 March 2005 and can be found on the Defra Website (www.defra.gov.uk) under news items. There are links in the notice to the full reasoned response.

Hope this helps,

Richard Aram
FAWC Secretariat
Area 511, 1A Page Street
LONDON, SW1P 4PQ
Tel. 020 7904 6532
Fax. 020 7904 6993
E-mail. richard.n.aram@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Website. www.fawc.org.uk

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=====================

Dear Mr Aram,

That more than helps, it solves! And your lightning-fast reply -- thanks!

Here in the former Colonies it's a bit difficult to follow UK developments, but this was such an interesting story with such interesting dimensions and conflicts. I so much appreciate your dropping the other shoe for me. I owe you one.

Yours,

Bob Merkin
Massachusetts USA