Halal stunning and slaughter: Criteria for the assessment of dead animals

Abstract

General rightsThis document is made available in accordance with publisher policies. Please cite only the published version using the reference above. Full terms of use are available: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/pure/about/ebr-terms AbstractThe debate surrounding the acceptability of stunning for Halal slaughter is one that is likely to linger. Compared to a couple of decades or so ago, one may argue that preslaughter stunning is becoming a popular practice during Halal slaughter due to the increasing number of Muslim-majority countries who continue to issue religious rulings (Fatwa) to approve the practice. Concerns have often, however been raised about the likelihood of some animals dying as a result of stunning and whether there are mechanisms in place to identify and remove dead animals stunned with irreversible techniques before their necks are cut. This paper reviews literature about what makes meat Halal, considers the arguments put forward by proponents and opponents of Pre-slaughter stunning for Halal meat production and examines the criteria used by Halal Certification Bodies to identify and reject animals that may die as a result of irreversible stunning and considers the specific risks of waterbath stunning (for poultry) from a Halal viewpoint. Highlights Halal meat consumption is important to Muslims  The market for Halal meat is growing at an exponential rate  Halal animals must not be dead at the time of slaughter 2  We looked at the arguments for and against pre-slaughter stunning for Halal production  We examined the measures used to remove dead animals after stunning

Halal Meat Fraud and Safety Issues in the UK: a Review in the Context of the European Union

“…Halal is an Arabic word that literally means anything that is permissible or lawful (Riaz 1996;Fuseini et al 2016a). When used in relation to meat, such meats must be derived from specific animals slaughtered in accordance with requirements specified in the Quran and Hadith.…”

The compatibility of modern slaughter techniques with halal slaughter: a review of the aspects of ‘modern’ slaughter methods that divide scholarly opinion within the Muslim community

“…Sufficient time must be allowed for the flowing blood to drain out of the carcass  The person bleeding the animal must be a Muslim, the slaughterer is required to recite the name of God upon each animal before or during the neck cut During Halal slaughter, in addition to the slaughterer being a Muslim, he/she is expected to have attained the age of discretion and must be sane (MS1500 2009HFA 2014). Extensive literature reviews on the requirements of Halal slaughter have been published (Farouk 2013;Farouk et al 2014;Fuseini et al 2016b). Although the Muslim community generally agree on the above Halal slaughter requirements, some Muslims are reluctant to accept modern slaughter techniques because of the following fears:…”

The perception and acceptability of pre-slaughter and post-slaughter stunning for Halal production: The views of UK Islamic scholars and Halal consumers

“…Of paramount importance within the Halal slaughter requirements is that the animal must be alive during the ritual cut (Quran 2:173, 5:3, Regenstein et al, 2003, Masri 2007, Fuseini, Knowles, Hadley & Wotton, 2016b. In many industrialised countries, there is a requirement for the pre-slaughter stunning of animals in order to render them insensible to the pain associated with slaughter (EC 1099, WATOK, 2015.…”