During our work in Turkey, visiting cattle and sheep slaughterhouses, we sadly often see horrendous animal suffering. Animals have their throats slit while fully conscious and sentient, but are also chained up by one leg and hoisted fully off the floor or have their legs tied up or are rotated on their backs, often after being electric prodded or very roughly handled. Many of the times, these plants have a Halal certification from a company called Gimdes. We have met Gimdes now twice to get their attention to this major problem. We also have been encouraging them to no longer denounce pre-stunning as not being “ Halal”. Sadly so far in vain…
Asalet from Eyes on Animals has made a short film (in Turkish) about the booklet they publish on “Halal” which uses bits of the Koran and Haddiths to explain animal welfare and slaughter methods- which are all actually in favour of being as gentle as possible to the animal and never causing unnecessary pain. The Muslim faith preaches good animal-welfare practices, it is time Halal certifiers like Gimdes stop making money on selling their certificates and stop promoting on-going old fashioned cruel methods of slaughter.
