Rabbonim of the Vaad HaKashrut met with Dr. Moshe Heimowitz, the chief veterinarian in the Ministry of Agriculture. The meeting was held secretively during recent days, successfully avoiding mainstream media reports towards reducing the raising of pork in Eretz Yisrael.

The law banning the raising of pigs restricts such activities to a limited number of communities with certain guidelines, including the raising of the treif animal for medical and other research. Since the arrival of many non-Jews from the Former Soviet Union, the raising of these treif animals has increased significantly, as has the marketing and sale of pork products, now in larger demand than ever nationwide. The rabbonim met with the senior ministry veterinarian in the hope of finding a way to lead to increasingly stringent enforcement of the law, which at present calls for a fine of several thousand lirot (former currency, Israeli pounds), not too much of a deterrent today. Interestingly, Ladaat.net reports a number of sheikhs participated in the meeting; equally interested in limiting the raising and distribution of the traif animal in Israel.

From the limited information available, it appears the good doctor told the rabbonim that if they have information of anyone violating the pork law, they should inform him and his office will see to it that the appropriate steps are taken within the framework of the law.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)