Labour party members on Sunday voted against the proposed ban on the ritual slaughter of animals and want their MPs to vote down the bill in parliament.

The proposal to ban ritual slaughter, drawn up by the pro-animal party PvdD, is facing increasing opposition despite earlier signs that a majority of MPs would support it.
Labour initially decided to support the ban and the vote on Sunday, with 57% against, leaves party leader Job Cohen in a difficult position. He reacted to the vote by saying that it was ‘weighty advice, but no more than advice’.
Other parties are also seeing support for the ban crumble. Left-wing liberals D66 members have also voted against the ban and opposition within governing party VVD is growing.
Opposition to a ban is based on freedom of religion because the ritual of killing animals with a single cut to the throat and without first stunning them is essential to both the islamic and jewish religions.
Parliament will debate the issue on Wednesday with a vot on June 28.