31,787 animals slaughtered without stunning in Brussels: “This cruel practice must end”

As Eid al-Adha is being celebrated, the debate over slaughter without prior stunning has once again flared up in Brussels. New figures reveal that no fewer than 31,787 animals were slaughtered without stunning in the Belgian capital in 2025. Brussels MP Mathias Vanden Borre has described the situation as unacceptable and is calling for a ban. “Since 2019, Flanders and Wallonia have shown that such a ban is both feasible and legally sound. Brussels is now the only region still lagging behind.”

Tens of thousands of animals slaughtered without stunning

The figures show that 17,562 cattle and calves were slaughtered in Brussels in 2025, including 14,049 without prior stunning. Among sheep and lambs, 11,989 out of 13,322 animals were slaughtered without stunning. Goats were also heavily affected, with 5,207 of the 7,439 animals slaughtered without being stunned beforehand.

According to Mathias Vanden Borre, these figures highlight the urgent need for stricter animal welfare legislation in Brussels. “Every year, tens of thousands of animals are subjected to avoidable suffering. That is no longer justifiable.”

Animal welfare not a priority for the Brussels Government

Vanden Borre primarily holds Brussels Minister for Animal Welfare Elke Van den Brandt (Groen) responsible. In his view, the Brussels Government has failed to make progress on the issue.

“If animal welfare were truly a priority for Minister Elke Van den Brandt, she would have fought to secure clear commitments in the coalition agreement, and we would already be debating the Brussels Animal Welfare Code in parliament,” he said. “Instead, this issue continues to be postponed time and again.”

Proposal blocked once again

Mathias Vanden Borre has submitted his own legislative proposal to include a ban on slaughter without stunning in the Brussels Animal Welfare Code. However, the proposal has failed to move beyond the committee stage.

He accuses MR, PS and Les Engagés of blocking progress on the issue. He is particularly critical of MR’s position. “MR used to advocate stronger animal welfare standards and parliamentary hearings on this matter. Today, the party is abandoning its own principles in order to shield the PS,” he said.

“Even a version of the Animal Welfare Code that does not include a ban on slaughter without stunning is going nowhere. That says everything about the lack of political courage within this majority,” Vanden Borre added.

“The legal debate is over”

Opponents of a ban often argue that it would infringe on freedom of religion. According to Mathias Vanden Borre, that argument no longer holds up.

“The Constitutional Court and several other courts have repeatedly confirmed that a ban on slaughter without stunning is compatible with freedom of religion. The legal debate was settled long ago. What is missing is political will.”

He is therefore urging the Brussels Government to follow the example set by the other regions. “Every year of delay means thousands more animals subjected to needless suffering. This cruel practice must end.”