In Latvia, a public initiative has emerged on the platform 'Manabalss.lv' calling for the prohibition of the 'halal' slaughter method for livestock. The authors of the initiative are advocating for changes to the Animal Protection Act to mandate pre-slaughter stunning in agricultural slaughterhouses, proposing penalties for unauthorized 'halal' slaughter, which utilizes post-slaughter stunning. The organization known as 'Pārmaiņas Latvijā' represents the advocates of this initiative, asserting that 'halal' slaughter is particularly cruel and lacks any practical or scientific justification.

The representatives of the advocating organization emphasize that 'halal' slaughter is banned in several countries including Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, and Iceland. The traditional 'halal' method involves a ritualistic procedure as dictated by Islamic faith, where the animal's veins and carotid arteries are cut. This method also requires that all the animal's blood is drained, as it is considered impure within the Islamic faith, and thus should not remain in the meat. According to the initiative, the graphically distressing nature of this slaughter method is untenable in modern agricultural practices.

This movement reflects broader societal debates in Latvia regarding animal welfare, religious practices, and cultural sensitivity. The push for a ban not only highlights concerns about animal cruelty but also signifies tensions surrounding the rights of minority religious groups in Latvia. The outcome of this initiative could set a precedent for similar debates in the future, potentially redefining the landscape of animal welfare legislation in the country.