Shechitah Approved in Humane Slaughter Bill Introduced in Michigan

Shechitah, the Jewish method of slaughtering, has been specifically defined here as a humane method of slaughter in a humane slaughter bill introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives, the Jewish News of Detroit reports. A public hearing on the bill was held here this week with Rabbi Samuel Prero, attending.

A federal humane slaughter law was enacted during the last session of Congress, but can regulate only meat that is sold in inter-state commerce or to a federal agency. The Michigan bill, if passed, would include all commercial slaughtering in the state.

Under the terms of the Michigan bill, a double guarantee is included against infringement on the right of Shechitah, according to proponents of the bill. Section 3 states: “The following methods of slaughtering and handling are hereby found to be humane. . b) by slaughtering in accordance with the ritual requirements of the Jewish faith or any other religious faith that prescribes a method of slaughter whereby the animal suffers loss of consciousness by anemia of the brain caused by the simultaneous and instantaneous severance of the cart lid arteries with a sharp instrument. “

Section 7 further says that “Nothing in this act shall be construed to prohibit, abridge or in any way hinder the religious freedom of any person or group. Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, ritual slaughter and the handling of other preparation of livestock for ritual slaughter are exempted from terms of this act. For the purposes of this section, the term ‘ritual slaughter’ means slaughter in accordance with subsection (b) of section 3(cited above).”

The Michigan bill, introduced by Representatives Mrs. Hunsinger, Mrs. McCollough and Mrs. White has been referred to the committee on agriculture for reporting. Orthodox Judaism has consistently opposed enactment of humane slaughter laws, claiming that historically, such laws have been forerunners of bans on Shechitah.