Stun-free halal certification scheme launched
Taking place in Manchester, the certification scheme has been developed for meat and poultry that is produced without the use of stunning of any kind and is available for slaughterhouses, cutting plants, meat retailers, wholesalers, restaurants and takeaways across the UK.
The launch was officiated by the HFA and the Halal Food Foundation (a parent charity of Traditional Halal and the HFA) in an attempt to enhance the welfare standards, training and skills in the non-stun meat sector and to achieve further excellence in the halal meat supply chain, with quality, consistency and sustainability.
Dr Abdul Matin Khan, chairman of Traditional Halal and the HFA, said: "We are fully committed to promoting halal trade and to supporting the traditional way of halal slaughter."
Saqib Mohammed, chief executive of Traditional Halal and the HFA, said there was a need for advanced training and enhanced competence in the halal sector, in order to meet the highest level of animal welfare and meat quality. "We have developed animal welfare training for our supervisors, slaughtermen and site operators, which will be offered to the applicants free of charge under this scheme."
The scheme is supported by representatives of Euro Quality Lambs, Gafoor Pure Halal, Halal Kitchen, Worldwide Cash and Carry and Iqbal Poultry, along with several Islamic scholars from Oldham, Blackburn and London.