LThe government in Brussels postponed until the next meeting the point of the Code on animal welfare that divides the regional majority, we learned on Thursday in the office of Minister-President Rudi Vervoort.
This text by Minister Bernard Clerfayt still has to go through a third reading in the government before being forwarded to parliament. The problem is not the content of the future law, but the prospect of an amendment reintroducing the ban on slaughter without stunning, which is causing tension among the coalition partners. Several majority groups have indicated that they will give their MPs the freedom to vote. In other words, the provision could pass, after being narrowly defeated two years ago.
The Brussels PS decided to bury the animal welfare code
The PS does not intend to restart this debate, which is sensitive in the Jewish and Muslim communities. He said that without the discipline of the majority in the Parliament, this point cannot pass the third reading.
The meeting of the executive in Brussels was held via video conference this Thursday. Mr. Clerfayt asked to discuss this point in person. In principle, the file is returned on April 18.
On Wednesday, after the failure of attempts to consult with the majority (PS, Ecolo, DéFI, Open Vld, Groen, Vooruit), Mr. Clerfayt (DéFI) assured that this issue will be resolved as a priority and called the PS “to create a peaceful and constructive working environment in order for this text to be voted before the end of the convocation”.