Parliamentarians briefed on Halal slaughter

The meeting, attended by MPs and Peers including Neil Parish MP, Bill Wiggin MP, Jim Shannon MP and the Duke of Montrose, discussed the growing market for the Halal slaughtered meat, both domestically in the UK and overseas.

Media interest in this area remains challenging due to the sensitive nature of this topic, but it was stated at the meeting that export opportunities for UK producers are growing. Providing quality meat products to the Muslim communities in Europe is a significant market, with approximately 10% of the French population (5-6 million) and 4% of the German population (3 million).

A 2011 survey of one full week's worth of slaughter across the UK , in a 'normal' week's production saw 307,000 animals slaughtered. Of these 50% were stunned in the conventional way, with 40% Halal pre-stunned and 10% non-stunned Halal.

The variation is that 'Halal stunning' means head only stunned, which does mean the animal can recover.

Those in favour of head only stunning, specify that it is not forbidden in the Koran, however some Muslims maintain that stunning leaves one unsure if an animal was alive or dead at time of slaughter. These people insist meat can only be truly considered Halal if it is not stunned and killed with a sharp cut across the throat by a Muslim slaughterman reciting a prayer.

The meeting agreed with the briefing received from Eblexthat any further debate around this issue should be focussed upon animal welfare and not religious differences.

There is currently a lack of clarity and understanding about this sector both in the clear differences of stun and non-stunned meat, and on variations on labelling which is often unclear.

The meeting, also attended by Roger Williams MP (Lib Dem, Brecon and Radnor), Eric Ollerenshaw (Conservative, Lancaster and Fleetwood) and Dr Eilidh Whiteford (SNP, Banff and Buchan) agreed it would take up further sessions on this issues and call key stakeholders as witnesses.