Procedure descriptions

Apply for a special authorisation for slaughter without anaesthesia ("slaughtering")

According to the Animal Welfare Act, you may only slaughter warm-blooded animals if you stun them beforehand.

According to the regulations of some religious communities, meat may only be eaten if the animal has been killed by a throat cut without stunning.
You require a special permit for this slaughter without stunning ("slaughtering") for religious reasons.

Responsible department

the veterinary office of the lower administrative authority

The lower administrative authority is

if you live in an urban district: the city administration
if you live in a rural district: the district administration

Details

Prerequisite

Slaughter without stunning is necessary to observe religious rites or dietary regulations.

There are also a number of other requirements that must be met, such as requirements for the slaughterhouse or the expertise of the butcher.

Procedure

You must apply for authorisation in writing to the competent authority. The following information is required:

Name and address of the applicant
Name and address as well as details of the expertise of the person carrying out the slaughtering
Details of the group of people for whom the slaughter is to be carried out (e.g. religious communities, individuals)
Description of the religious regulations on slaughtering
Type and number of animals to be slaughtered
Period of slaughter
Place of slaughter
Equipment used for slaughtering
Whereabouts of the meat
Declaration that the meat will only be supplied to persons who must comply with mandatory religious regulations on slaughtering
Description of the religiously prescribed slaughtering process
Information on how animal welfare regulations are complied with during the slaughtering process

Additional information must also be provided, depending on who is making the application. This may be

a Muslim butcher,
a butcher who is not a Muslim himself or
a religious community

The competent authority will check your details. If necessary, the person responsible for slaughtering must demonstrate to the authority that they are familiar with and have mastered the provisions of the Animal Welfare Slaughter Ordinance.

Deadlines

none

Required documents

Proof of the expertise of the slaughtering person
Expert opinion from legal scholars on the necessity of slaughtering

Costs

Fee depending on administrative costs

Miscellaneous