Rather than Ban Kosher Meat, Why Doesn't the UK Ban ALL Meat? (Or isn't that cricket?)
I understand that Britain may join Poland and and Denmark in banning kosher slaughter (shechitah). The ban would apply to Muslim ritual slaughter (hallal) as well.
The anti shechitah and anti-circumcision movements likely have some anti-Semitism lurking behind them. That being said, it's more likely to be motivated by anti-Muslim prejudice, as Muslims are more numerous.
Whatever is motivating these trends, it seems very paternalistic.
I understand that the anti circumcision arguments used are weak, using old studies and that newer and contrary evidence is withheld - hardly the sort of data that should be used to make a "scientific" decision. But even assuming that the opponents are sincere and are not motivated by any prejudice (of which they are consciously aware), it is still so breathtakingly paternalistic for them to assume that they know what is better for our children than us "primitives."
Further, if they want to employ data of dubious validity to outlaw circumcision, I would suggest that they consider the scads of *valid* data which shows consumption of meat (kosher AND non kosher), might be compromising to health. So rather than ban Jewish and Muslim ritual slaughter, why not just ban slaughter of animals altogether? I mean, they're so paternalistically concerned about everybody's health-why not their own? (Or is it that they like eating meat?)