slacht

Slacht is a Dutch term referring to slaughter, the act of killing animals for food. It can function as a noun (de slacht) or as part of compounds such as slachthuis (slaughterhouse), slachtvee (slaughter cattle), and slachtpartij (the act of slaughter). The verb slachten means to slaughter.

In meat production and animal management, slaughter is a regulated process designed to minimize suffering. Typical steps include stunning the animal to render it insensible before bleeding, followed by humane killing and the processing of the carcass. Regulations in many jurisdictions require humane slaughter practices, inspection, and sanitary handling at facilities known as slaughterhouses or abattoirs. Standards vary by country but commonly cover welfare during handling, stunning methods, and post-slaughter processing.

Religious and cultural contexts influence methods and requirements. In some halal and kosher practices, slaughter may be performed with specific techniques, and in certain jurisdictions pre-slaughter stunning rules may differ depending on religious exemptions. Public authorities often balance animal welfare, food safety, and religious or cultural considerations in enforcement and oversight.

Etymology and cognates: Slacht is related to words in other Germanic languages; for example, German uses Schlacht in senses of slaughter or battle, reflecting shared linguistic roots. In Dutch, however, slacht is primarily associated with the slaughter of animals for food and related industries, rather than military contexts.

Related concepts include slachtpartij (slaughter event), slachtgewicht (carcass weight), and slachtproces (slaughter process). The term appears across agricultural, culinary, and regulatory contexts, with emphasis on animal welfare, food safety, and compliance with applicable laws.