The question of outside influences is at the heart of another debate, this one about a new Conservative movement hekhsher (kashrut certification), entitled a tsedek hekhsher ("justice certification"). This new certification would evaluate labor conditions in slaughterhouses and would be a seal of social responsibility, not slaughter techniques.
There is, of course, vehement opposition to this, for the fact that labor conditions are being assessed according to a secular liberal sensibility, not halakhah. You can access a good summary of the issue here.
And, for those of you concerned about the treatment of the animals as well as the human workers, send thanks to my friend and colleague Rabbi Adam Frank who, together with his brother Aaron, brought about a decision by the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Conservative movement against certain previously allowed slaughter techniques. You can read the CJLS's decision here.
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