Halal quality assurance scheme consultation launched

An eight-week consultation will be launched to determine whether a quality assurance scheme for halal meat would add value to the sector and boost supply chain transparency.

AHDB Beef & Lamb has been working on the proposed scheme – which would have separate categories for stunned, non-stunned and post-cut-stunned slaughter for sheep – since its successful halal seminar in February.

Now it is publishing the proposals, which would see on-pack labelling signposting if it has come through an assured route to help customers choose products on shelves, to see what industry thinks and assess whether there is support to push the scheme forward.

High Halal Standards

Awal Fuseini, Halal Sector Manager with AHDB Beef & Lamb, said: “It is our belief an assurance scheme for the halal sheep meat sector would add transparency to the supply chain and boost customer choice in the product they are buying, knowing which adhere to clear standards around safety, animal welfare and the Islamic guidelines on slaughter.

“It would help demonstrate high standards in the slaughter and further processing of halal sheep meat. The draft proposals have three different schemes which would ultimately be labelled on the product to allow Muslim consumers to buy assured product which fits with their own belief with regard to halal slaughter.

“This should not though happen without us gauging opinion from the sector and we would urge all those with a vested interest to get involved in the consultation.”

While the proposals initially cover sheep meat only, members of the public have been invited to take part in the consultation, which is open until August 30th, by visiting: www.qsmbeefandlamb.co.uk/halal.