Re doesn't follow that is has to be true about all of it. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx " pre-stunned before slaughter and to that which has not. Labelling requirements would need to take this into consideration." Katharine, the above extract from your link is most important. Whereas Waitrose Halal meat may be pre-stunned is a good thing but it may well not apply to all halal meat on sale. Reference is made to whether a halal prayer is said or not. Speaking for myself I wouldn't worry if a prayer were said or not 'cos I don't suppose for one moment " anyone " is listening to it, it does no harm and any prayer could be better than none?. Trying to whitewash the method by one example won't work and what is the situation with halal slaughtered meat on sale in the hundreds of shops selling halal meat which now abound throughout the Borough and elsewere. Does the Islamic Council insist on pre-stunning, I think not and I don't regard this matter as nonsense. The concern now re ritual slaughter takes on a much greater significance because of the massive upsurge in ritually slaughtered animals. When it applied almost exclusively to Jewish meat the method was MUCH less practiced but now as the number of Muslims in the UK and throughout Europe vastly outnumber Jews by a factor of at least 10, the potential suffering is that much enhanced and which needs addressing. Plus without doubt, persons consuming meat have the right to know if the animal was slaughtered not in a manner to which they morally object. And there are many of us who fall into that category, so we are not discussing a subject of nonsense but one of serious and understandable concern to many people who up to now and possibly still, are being hoodwinked into participating in something of which had they had full knowledge, would decline to do so on moral grounds.I would be such a person and I don't expect to have to ask in every establishment in which I eat or buy to have to ask and I doubt if the person to whom I am asking, would know anyway. All establishments should be made to display prominently what meat they are using, ie halal if so, pre stunned or not. If you go into a Jewish butcher or restaurant, you know full well any meat has been ritually slaughtered and can make your decision what to eat accordingly. But for loads now of meat on sale or eaten cooked from establishments which ordinary non Muslim members of the public have hitherto indulged, we have the right to know what we are eating if those establishments have switched to ritually slaughtered meats.
Tony Price ● 4828d