'Try to find cultural balance'

2007-11-29 20:05

Johannesburg - There is a need to find harmony between existing legislation and cultural practices when it comes to slaughtering of animals, the National Heritage Council (NHC) said on Thursday.

"The animal welfare practitioners need to learn more about cultural practices so that they understand the public dissatisfaction around the enforcement of the law on slaughtering," said NHC chief executive officer Sonwabile Mancotywa.

"We encourage the SPCA to accept invitations from the people of South Africa especially in the rural areas, to attend and observe ritual slaughters," said Mancotywa.

The NHC and the and the Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) held a meeting over the Meat Safety Act of 2000, the Animal Protection Act of 1962 and the Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1993 in Pretoria.

The meeting was held to discuss concerns over the cultural slaughtering of animals which was deemed to be ill-treatment of animals.

SPCA executive director Marcelle Meredith said there was a need to introduce legislation to ensure that cultural practices were protected in the constitution.

"The Animals Protection Act 1962 is not in conflict with cultural practices as it is publicly perceived. There is a need to introduce legislation that will ensure that cultural practices of slaughtering animals are protected as in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights," said Meredith.

The two institutions agreed to work together to educate the public about the need to respect culture as well as the importance of animal welfare.

- SAPA