Suze,
You said "I can't believe that a supposedly modern, secular country like Australia still allows such practices to continue".

Why can't you believe it?

Our governments ignore FGM don't they! Federal and state governments got together in 1994 and discussed the issue of FGM. Each state passed laws making the practice illegal. Bet that made the politicians feel good, yet they have done nothing to enforce the laws. Not one person has ever been charged with an offence relating to FGM.

There are some hospitals that have specialist units to treat post FGM problems. Royal Melbourne Womens Hospital is maybe one of the biggest in terms of patients treated. You are a nurse and you know this, and probably have nursed women or girls that have been subjected to FGM.

So why would you have any difficulty in believing that, for religious reasons livestock are killed without stunning?

It is estimated that there are about 1000 forced marriages take place each year for cultural reasons, yet our government turn a blind eye also to this. They do not even run awareness education to inform young girls that it is illegal and where they can seek help if they are being pressured.

It strikes me as ironic that our police and the RSPCA raid and prosecute those that conduct cockfights because it is cruel, but nothing is done to stop FGM. So little girls continue to be held down on kitchen tables by old biddies while pieces of flesh are hacked off them. No one cares about these little girls yet the whole country is up in arms about the killing methods of livestock used by some religious groups.

Of course I want to see animals slaughtered humanely, but I think the issues of forced marriage and FGM are more pressing.

Wouldn't I like to get 4 Corners to make a programme showing FGM being done and what the poor girls endure and then so intercourse can be achieved and then childbirth. People really would be shocked. But no, that is too culturally sensitive.

morganzola
It is indeed great RSPCA are trying to stop this. It was a complete surprise when Ikebal Patel came out with his demands for Sharai law- the now President of AFIC Australian Federation of Islamic council & it raised alarms to those who had worked with him to ban live exports.
Those inquires led to serious concerns & revealed something almost unbearable to believe. While Mr Petal has always maintained support for stunning he and mla & government have quietly produced a mla brand & others (14) believed to be ritual slaughter.

http://www.afic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/ma4-30-39.pdf

Australian Halal brand goes global | Australian Food News
9 Oct 2008 – The unique Halal brand that was developed last year by Meat & Livestock ... The MLA-developed Halal brand appears on retail meat packs and point of sale and ... Woolworth s switches own-label milk from NF to Parmalat ...
www.ausfoodnews.com.au/.../australian-halal-brand-goes-global.html -

There is no place in Australia for ritual Halal or Kosher & we must all fight to stop this together with RSPCA united.

Indeed good on RSPCA & shame on these people in Government MLA who approved this treatment of Australian Farm Animals

Banjo,

Sorry I didnt see your post & I dont understand why you would expect RSPCA to police things outside of their authority . Might I suggest you open a thread on your topic. You might get more support on it seeing your clearly very passionate about this off topic.

RSPCA have more than enough on their hands I am sure working within their own territory. If I didnt know better i;d almost think you were attempting to mislead the title of this thread about RSPCA

Go RSPCA indeed!

Yes Kerryanne, I agree that it's hardly the RSPCA's responsibility to lobby against the illegal practice of FGM in Australia.

Banjo, this discussion's about ritual slaughter, not FGM. However, I agree that FGM should be stamped out if it's being practised in Australia. I'd be happy to support a reputable campaign against it. Perhaps you could start a discussion and lobby group about it, rather than trying to hijack an unrelated discussion?

Kerryanne,
I am not trying to hyjack your thread, but i think we have to keep things in proportion.

In this. the cruelty inflicted on humans is a far more pressing issue.

My reference to the RSPCA is relative to the fact that they are involved in the prosecution of thse carrying out cockfighting, yet the government does not prosecute those carrying out FGM.

I make no apology and will continue to relate the cockfighting issue to the non-prosecution of those carrying out FGM.

Governments are more concerned about the welfare of roosters than little girls.

morganzola
(apologies) about the other thread) we all just want to help.

Interesting times & strong support for RSPCA. In one corner we have Mr Ikebal Patel pushing this cruel ritual slaughter ( quite unbeknown by many)

RSPCA to BAN Ritual Slaughter news-
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2011/s3247274.htm
http://kb.rspca.org.au/What-is-kosher-slaughter-in-Australia_117.html
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/18/3247288.htm
http://au.news.yahoo.com/latest/a/-/latest/9664631/rspca-shifts-spotlight-to-ritual-slaughter/
http://www.google.com.au/#hl=en&source=hp&q=rspca+south+australia+ritual+slaughter+&btnG=Google+Search
Other corner-

Press Release

The Australian Federation of Islamic Societies (AFIS HKM) ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANIZATION strongly oppose the export of live cattle abroad and “support the RSPCA process of stunning the cattle and all Animals before halal or non-halal slaughtering. The process of stunning should be applied to the animal while it is standing on its feet. The intensity of stunning should be such that if the animal is left un-slaughtered it should be able to get up and walk away.
In order to minimize the level of stress and anxiety to the cattle it is imperative that when an animal is being slaughtered the other animals should be isolated and kept away.
Stunning is the most humane way of making the animals unconscious before slaughtering and it ensures that they suffer the least pain.
This method of stunning complies with the States and Federal legislation's.
Australian Federation of Islamic Societies (AFIS) is due to open in six weeks.
,Dr Ameer Ali- Former advisor to the Howard Government on Islamic affairs
1. Dr Munir Hussain-10 years experience with AFIC and 11 years in SICHMA on Halal products

What do you know about Kosher- the head in Australia? office name.
I dont know anything about them accept Kosher is even more cruel.

RSPCA will finally get this reviewed with everybody demanding this dreadful treatment is banned.

Do you know anything about the inquiry into ritual slaughter? They seem to be taking their time-

Disgusting to think our Government allowed this in the first place& the two faces of Ikebal are beyond the pale.