The Dutch Secretary of State for Agriculture and Animal Welfare, Silvio Arkens of the VVD, says he personally supports a ban on the halal slaughter of animals without pre-shocking and will seriously consider legislation promoted by the Animal Welfare Party.

Arkans said the Netherlands prioritizes animal welfare and called it "strange" that religious exemptions still allow unstunned ritual slaughter. He said the practice "does not belong in the Netherlands", stressing that his position is about animal welfare rather than focusing on Muslims or religion itself.