The growing importance of the UK’s Muslim community to the food industry was highlighted by last week’s launch of a new DVD discussing issues surrounding the production of Halal sheep meat.
The Quality Meat Supply Chain for the Muslim Consumer is a 10-minute film launched on September 4 by EBLEX (formerly the English Beef and Lamb Executive and now part of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board).
Produced with the advice and assistance of many in the Muslim community, its aim is to help farmers, consumers and public sector caterers understand how Halal meat is produced in England and to dispel myths surrounding its production.
According to figures from the Office of National Statistics (January 2009), there are now around 2.4M British Muslims - an increase of 500,000 in four years - and Islam is the second largest religion in the country. What Muslims eat is dictated by the Qur’an, which specifies that meat must be slaughtered in a specific way, hence the growing prominence of religious slaughter issues.
“Without fully understanding Halal and the issues surrounding it, those involved in the supply chain, specifically with sheep meat, could find themselves missing out on market opportunities,” said EBLEX sector director Richard Lowe.
“Strict rules govern Halal slaughter and it is important that these can be presented in an objective way for those in the supply chain who need to know about the issues involved if they want to supply the Halal sector.”
The DVD sets out the issues surrounding the stun and non-stun methods involved in the slaughter of sheep.