The stunning and slaughter of cattle within the EU: a review of the current situation with regard to the halal market

Abstract

The slaughter of animals for the Halal market is both ethically and economically significant. There are animal welfare and spiritual requirements that must be met for meat to be considered fit for Muslim consumption. These requirements are enshrined in Islamic law, known commonly as the Shariah law, derived from commandments in the Holy Quran and the Hadith (teachings or traditions of the Prophet of Islam, Mohammed-Peace Be Upon Him). Islamic jurists widely interpret the Shariah law differently, and this has led to debate as to whether pre-slaughter stunning is acceptable for Halal slaughter. This paper reviews how these laws are interpreted and implemented and reviews the methods of stunning accepted by proponents of Halal stunning. It also describes why some proponents of Halal stunning do not accept irreversible stunning methods for producing Halal beef within the EU, a situation 2 which has meant that thousands of Halal cattle are slaughtered without any form of stunning.

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

“…With guidance from the Quran and Hadith, one would expect these jurists to make unanimous decisions regarding what is Halal and Haram (prohibited), however, a number of differences of opinion exist among the scholars. Fuseini, et al, (2016a) suggested that the differences in scholarly opinion may sometimes be the result of differences between the two main sects, Sunni and Shia or the subdivision of the Sunni sect into four different schools of law; the Maliki, Hanbali, Shafii and Hanafi schools of law.…”

“…Animals slaughtered for Muslim consumption must meet specific requirements laid down in the Islamic Holy Book, the Quran, and the teachings of the Prophet contained in the various Ahadith (Grandin and Regenstein, 1994, Regenstein, Chaudry & Regenstein, 2003, Nakyinsige et al, 2013, Fuseini, Knowles, Lines, Hadley, & Wotton, 2016a. These Islamic dietary laws prohibit the consumption of meat (and by-products) from carnivorous animals, pigs, animals that die naturally and all forms of intoxicants (MS1500, 2009, HFA, 2014.…”

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

“…The Quran and Hadith are the two main sources of Islamic food laws (Grandin and Regenstein 1994;Fuseini et al 2016a), giving guidance on the production, handling and slaughter of animals for food. A number of verses in the Quran lay emphasis on the Halal-Tayyib concept (Quran: 2:168;5:88;8:69).…”

Halal food certification in the UK and its impact on food businesses: a review in the context of the European Union.

“…This is because in many Muslim-minority countries, the majority of processed foods may contain non-Halal raw materials (e.g. pork or porcine derivatives) and the processing of Halal products may be done using equipment that are also used to process pork-based products [4], this leads to the contamination of Halal food. In addition, non-Muslims generally perform the slaughter of animals for human consumption in Muslim-minority countries, such meats are therefore not recognised as suitable for Muslim consumption by some Muslim authorities.…”