NAPLES – The Regional Administrative Court has rejected a ruling in Naples which prevented butchers from displaying lamb and goat in shop windows. The traditional arrival of whole and quartered meat, which is customary over the Easter period, was put under threat to avoid a “traumatising sight,” primarily intended to protect children.

 Butchers had been forced to move their lamb and goat meat beyond the sight of customers, hidden in refrigerators. Shop owners had immediately criticised the initial ruling which prohibited the display of meat on counters as well as in the windows. “How do the customers choose,” complained one enraged owner.

 Fines of 500 euros had been designed to sway stubborn butchers away from disregarding the ruling. In response, however, the association, Aicast, rallied support amongst Naples’ butchers to immediately contest the controversial decision, underlining the damage it would cause an already suffering sector. The supposedly “harmful consequences for citizens” upon seeing butchered meat, “are not proven,” they stressed.

 They added to the sense of injustice in targeting butchers, highlighting that these counterproductive measures would have minimal, protective impact, whilst “there are other images that we must prevent children from seeing.” Following five days of appeal the decision was overturned in favour of the butchers.

 A hearing is expected to take place in the council chamber on the 24^th April to discuss the issue further. The shop owners are said to be remaining confident, but in the meantime, they will be able to enjoy this year’s Easter celebrations as usual.

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