Ending Slaughter Without Stunning in Brussels

The Current Situation

In Brussels, around 50,000 animals are slaughtered every year at the abattoir in Anderlecht. While most slaughterhouses in Europe are required to stun animals before killing (to render them unconscious and reduce suffering) there are legal exceptions. In Brussels, slaughter without stunning remains permitted for religious reasons, specifically for halal and kosher practices.

This exemption is the subject of growing public concern and political tension. It raises questions not only about animal welfare, but also about freedom of religion, immigration policy, and food system transparency. That’s why it’s essential to approach this issue openly, respectfully, and with access to clear information.

Stunned vs Unstunned Slaughter: What’s the Difference?

In stunned slaughter, animals are rendered unconscious before they are killed. Stunning methods vary depending on the species and include electric shocks, captive bolt pistols, or CO₂ gas.

In unstunned slaughter, the animal is killed by a cut to the throat while still conscious, without prior stunning. This method is used in certain religious traditions, where stunning is considered incompatible with ritual purity.

Key points to consider:

• Scientific studies suggest that both methods involve suffering, although the experience and timing of pain differ.

• Some animal welfare organisations argue that stunning reduces visible signs of distress, while others question the reliability of certain stunning techniques.

• Unstunned slaughter is legally restricted in several European regions — but not (yet) in Brussels.

  
  

Why This Is a Sensitive Topic

The debate over religious slaughter is deeply entangled with cultural identity, migration history, and minority rights. Some bans in other regions have been criticised as discriminatory or politically motivated. At the same time, questions of animal welfare are often excluded from public discussion out of fear of fuelling xenophobia.

At Vegan Brussels, we believe it’s possible (and necessary) to hold space for complex, respectful conversations. We advocate transparency, not targeting. Consumers deserve to know how animals are killed, regardless of the method, so they can make informed choices.

We welcome awareness around all forms of slaughter, because confronting the reality of how animals are treated is the first step toward change.

Who Is Involved

• The Anderlecht abattoir, where both stunned and unstunned slaughter takes place, is planned to close by 2028.

• Animal welfare groups like GAIA and Animal Rights have called for a full ban on slaughter without stunning in Brussels.

• Legal protections for animals at slaughter are regulated at the EU level, with local interpretation by Brussels authorities.

  
  

However, public access to information remains limited. Most people (regardless of dietary or cultural background) do not know how slaughter operates in practice.

What Can Be Done

• Inform campaigns: Understand what different slaughter methods involve, and the legislation behind them.

• Support greater transparency: Encourage our local representatives to require clear public reporting on slaughter practices.

• Promote plant-based alternatives: Regardless of the method, slaughter means suffering. Supporting alternatives can shift demand away from the issue entirely.

• Avoid polarising debates: Focus on compassion, information, and common ground, not cultural division.

  
  

Call to Action: Get Involved

We’re launching a working group on slaughter transparency and animal welfare in Brussels. The goal is to gather facts, monitor developments, and create tools for public awareness and civic engagement.

Would you like to join or stay informed?

→ Sign up via our involvement form

→ Share this article with your network

→ Donate to support awareness campaigns around slaughter and plant-based alternatives

A kinder city starts with clarity, and with truth that’s no longer hidden behind closed doors.