.... Large amounts of halal-slaughtered New Zealand lamb is being sold on UK shelves, but industry figures dismissed the uproar as sensationalist. Craig Finch, Beef + Lamb New Zealand regional manager, tells MTJ: “All our halal meat is processed to the same standards as non-halal meat. All of our animals must be stunned prior to slaughter – the only difference is we have Muslim slaughtermen who say a quick prayer. The processes are absolutely identical. There is also no difference in animal welfare.”
.... Welfare and veterinary groups say the issue should not be religious. Halal meat can be both stun and non-stun, and the RSPCA, which disagrees with non-stun slaughter, believes labelling should concentrate on this: “Scientific research has clearly shown that slaughter of an animal without stunning can cause unnecessary suffering. The RSPCA is calling for labelling to refer to stun or non-stun slaughter [rather than a method of ‘religious’ slaughter] so shoppers can make an informed choice. [MeatInfo.co.uk] Read more
