Poland overturns ban on Shechita in ‘fair and welcome decision’

British Jews who keep kosher breathed a sigh of relief this week, when a tribunal ruling in Poland against an “unconstitutional” shechita ban lifted the threat of a huge surge in the price of meat.

A ruling of the Polish Constitutional Tribunal ban on religious slaughter should not stand, was cheered by European Jewish groups, who paid tribute to the panel of judges for reaching “a fair and welcome decision”. 

The parliamentary ban of the export of shechita dates back two years, and never came into effect, due in part to a legal challenge for the Union of Jewish Religious Communities in Poland. “We’re extremely pleased that shechita can continue in Poland as it has done for generations,” said Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt of the Conference of European Rabbis. “The repercussions of this ban would have had a far reaching impact across Europe.”

Chief Rabbi Schudrich, who ran the campaign, said: “This has been a long and difficult campaign and I would to pay tribute to the Justices for reaching a fair and welcome decision.”

Shimon Cohen of Shechita UK said: “This is the right decision which will be welcomed throughout the Jewish world.” 

We welcome the Polish Constitutional Court’s decision to rule that a ban on shechita is unconstitutional.

— The Board (@BoardofDeputies) December 10, 2014