The Dutch government has announced plans to ban the export of kosher and halal meat in an effort to reduce the amount of animals killed through “ritual” slaughter, to minimise suffering.

The website Dutch News reports Martijn van Dam, junior minister for economic affairs, told MPs in a letter: “I find the current implementation unacceptable. Negative effects on animal welfare must be minimised.”

He said the new rules, which will be in place from January 2017, will ensure meat from animals killed “ritually” will be clearly labelled, only available in religious communities and will not be exported.

According to the website, Mr van Dam said he had spoken to Jewish and Muslim organisations and slaughterhouses to make agreements to introduce the new rules.

From next year, any abbottoirs which wish to perform ritual slaughter will need to register with the relevant authorities.