Shechita Humane Under New Canadian Regulations but Shackling Barred

Canadian kosher slaughterhouses have until the end of this year to find a method of pre-slaughter handling of animals other than that of shackling under new regulations announced here by the Department of Agriculture governing the slaughter of food animals. The regulations, which specifically approved of Shechits as a recognised form of humane slaughter, bar the pre-slaughter method of handling in use throughout the country. The rules governing handling of food animals become effective on December 31, 1960.

Leon Creathol, the only Jewish member of the House of Common, has protested against the Agriculture Department regulations as being contrary to the original intent of the House Committee on Agriculture, which recommended a slaughter bill passed last July. Mr. Cresthol is a member of the committee.

The Canadian Jewish Congress, in a statement issued today in Toronto, expressed satisfaction that the new regulations recognize Shechita as “one of the methods of killing food animals that are considered humane.” “We are hopeful,” the statement declared, “that the abattoir will be able to comply and the Jewish community will certainly do its utmost to facilitate the rapid changeover”

A study of a new “sling” method of pre-slaughter handling is already being conducted with the cooperation of Canadian Packere and, while the procedure is not as suited to mass production facilities as the current shackling method, it represents the most likely alternative. Rabbinical circles in Canada have indicated that minor adjustments in the “sling” method would enable it to conform with religious requirements. Two handling procedures currently in use in Britain and employing rotating pens are also being considered for use here. All three of the new methods under study are expected to meet with the approval of the Department of Agriculture.