consultation study on halal marking scheme

[RedMerle]

I'm not starting this thread for a debate on halal and I would like to think we can all self moderate our opinions.

This link is the consultation

http://www.qsmbeefandlamb.co.uk/halal

I am particularly interested in this as it is looking to label exactly the type of method of slaughter.

I think as a consumer and producer whether Islamic or not this is of benefit.

 

[The_Swede]

If it serves to further highlight the complete hypocrisy of high welfare farm assured animals meeting an un-stunned end then I'm all for it. P.S. this is the moderated version of my views on this subject.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

If it serves to further highlight the complete hypocrisy of high welfare farm assured animals meeting an un-stunned end then I'm all for it. P.S. this is the moderated version of my views on this subject.

Can we have the uncensored version please?

 

[The_Swede]

Doubt the filter will allow it...

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

So the label will show if the product is non-stun Halal or pre-stun Halal?

This is a good step towards labelling all Halal, but will create confusion amongst people who assume all Halal is non-stun.

The labels will also highlight what proportion of sheep meat is Halal certified (on the quiet).

 

[uztrac]

IMHO there should be zero tolerance of all unstunned meat. ,or shall we all revert back to pig sticking and pole axing ?

 

[RedMerle]

This is a good step towards labelling all Halal, but will create confusion amongst people who assume all Halal is non-stun.

Surely it will remove that confusion?

At present you only really know if you're a consumer that specifically seeks out none stun halal from an outlet that labels it as such. There's very little labelling out there for stunned halal. I think it's a step in the right direction personally.

 

[The_Swede]

In that sense it is a step in the right direction.

However what makes the whole concept completely unacceptable is that the AHDB scientific research itself suggests that un-stunned practices likely increase suffering at slaughter, so what we effectively have here is meat from an animal 'assured' to have suffered more than necessary at slaughter.

When you look at the welfare requirements on farm this whole concept is beyond a joke (where non-stun slaughter is concerned).

 

[The_Swede]

I'll be replying to the consultation, basically I think the NFU, AHDB and Red Tractor (I think RT currently requires stunning but not 100% sure) should show some backbone on this issue.

Thoughts @Guy Smith ? Most farmers are I'm quite sure opposed to non--stun, its clearly the right thing by the animals themselves and a PR result with the wider public, whats not to like?

In my view any insistence upon or defence of non-stun slaughter be it Halal or Kosher is effectively an extremist religious belief that is not conducive to civilised society.

Would also be interesting to know what the Soil Association make of it for example...

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

Surely it will remove that confusion?

That's not my interpretation of the proposals.

The proposal states clearly that the words 'stun' or 'non-stun' will not be included on the labels, which will just say 'Halal Assured' with a tick for stunned products and 'Halal Assured' with some Arabic text for non-stunned.

People will not bother to read up on what each label actually represents.

The majority of consumers will either continue to assume that all Halal meat has not been stunned, or will just buy on price irrespective of how many stickers and labels are on the packet.

What do other EU countries do about meat labelling?

 

[The_Swede]

But if this is still the case; http://www.bmpa.uk.com/_attachments/Resources/3072_S4.pdf Surely an approved Halal scheme will just muddy the waters further for the non-Muslim population!? As it stands Red Tractor = Stunned very simple?

 

[RedMerle]

That's not my interpretation of the proposals.

The proposal states clearly that the words 'stun' or 'non-stun' will not be included on the labels, which will just say 'Halal Assured' with a tick for stunned products and 'Halal Assured' with some Arabic text for non-stunned.

People will not bother to read up on what each label actually represents.

The majority of consumers will either continue to assume that all Halal meat has not been stunned, or will just buy on price irrespective of how many stickers and labels are on the packet.

Just had a look and you are correct. That's a bit rubbish isn't it. You're right. I don't think people will research behind it.

That's a bit of a shame. I think i might raise that with them. I can't read Arabic for a start.

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

Interesting that certified plants can handle assured and non-assured Red Tractor meat.

If I had a TASCC or GTAS assured grainstore I would not be allowed to handle non-assured grain.

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

Just had a look and you are correct. That's a bit rubbish isn't it. You're right. I don't think people will research behind it.

That's a bit of a shame. I think i might raise that with them. I can't read Arabic for a start.

I went to school in Bradford (a year or two ago now) and heard lots of Arabic, Hindi and Urdu, but learnt none of it.

Who is the labelling supposed to be helping?

 

[lim x]

I'd just like to see the words stun/non stun on labels and on menu's in restaurants too.
Whats wrong with plain and simple.

 

[The_Swede]

I went to school in Bradford (a year or two ago now) and heard lots of Arabic, Hindi and Urdu, but learnt none of it.

Who is the labelling supposed to be helping?

Exactly, the majority of the population are further confused (or you could suggest the deception further entrenched) for the benefit of a very small minority. Quite simply the wrong approach all together.

 

[nick...]

What ever happens there are lots of people who will continue to put packs of bacon and sausages in the halal section
Nick...

 

[manhill]

That's nothing, ask our European French and Spanish comrades who enjoy nothing less than multiple spearing a poor bull and stand in front of it in their peacock garb and the friggin EU is scared to ban it!

Like it when the bull wins though!

 

[The_Swede]

For the record I'd happily dispense with that as well

Meanwhile elsewhere in Europe;

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...-kosher-halal-meat-islam-jewish-a7723451.html

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

Comparing bullfighting to halal and kosher?

I'd be interested to see how a halal/kosher ban fits within the 5 freedoms of the EU.