Ottawa, ON – July 24, 2024 –
Earlier this month, MK Global Kosher Certification Agency (MK) and the Kashruth Council of Canada (COR), the two largest Canadian kosher certifying agencies, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), the public affairs and advocacy agent of the organized Jewish community, and various Jewish community stakeholders sought the suspension of new CFIA guidelines that have been significantly impacting the viability of shechita (ritual kosher slaughter).
Reacting to the decision, Shimon Koffler Fogel, President and CEO, CIJA, observed that the undertaking to protect kashrut reflected an extraordinary demonstration of unity within the Canadian Jewish community. “All segments of the community and its institutions collaborated in this effort, and the contributions of Federation CJA and UJA Federation of Greater Toronto were significant and deeply appreciated by all stakeholders.”
Rabbi Saul Emanuel, CEO, MK, commented that “we are gratified that the court validated shechita as a legitimate and humane approach that takes full account of animal welfare and meets the scientific standards established by CFIA.”
“Significantly, the judgment recognized that the current CFIA guidelines are clearly discriminatory ‘as they unfairly associate a religious practice of shechita to animal pain and impose a challenge that does not apply to non-kosher meat production’,” added Richard Rabkin, Managing Director, COR. “This should dispel the false perception that shechita does not abide by the highest standards of animal welfare.
”Fogel concluded that while very pleased with the decision, the Jewish community is committed to working with CFIA to achieve a permanent solution that satisfies both CFIA regulatory objectives and the imperative to protect kosher food security. “The Jewish community and CFIA are both committed to the highest animal welfare standards, and we are confident that with goodwill, an agreement can be reached.”-30
