It's Up To Retailers Whether They Clearly Label Halal Products, No 10 Says

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Downing Street says that David Cameron does not support compulsory labelling of halal products and that he has no concerns about the meat he buys or eats in restaurants

David Cameron has refused to call for clearer labelling of halal products in supermarkets and restaurants.

Downing Street has said that the Prime Minister has “no concerns” about the meat that he buys and said it is for retailers and restaurants to decide whether to provide more information about halal products.

It came just hours after Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, called for clearer labelling of all halal meat products.

Mr Clegg said that while he had “no problem” eating a pizza with halal meat, it would be “relatively straightforward” for businesses to tell people how the meat they were eating “arrived on their plates”.

His comments echoed those made by religious leaders, who have said that shoppers must be told exactly how animals have been killed through clear labelling on food packaging.

In a letter to the Telegraph, the faith leaders suggested that all menus and packets should specify how animals have been slaughtered regardless of whether they are kosher or halal.

Their intervention follows disclosures that diners have been unknowingly served halal chicken in Pizza Express and other restaurant chains.

More than 70 per cent of all New Zealand lamb in supermarkets is from halal abattoirs – a fact not stated on labelling. » | Peter Dominiczak, Assistant Political Editor | Thursday, May 08, 2014

I Back Kosher Animal Killing, Says David Cameron: PM Says He Will Defend Religious Slaughter of Animals in Britain During His Trip to Israel

MAIL ONLINE: Prime Minister told Israeli Knesset on his 'watch' there will be no ban on the production of kosher meat / He said his message is clear, Britain 'opposes boycotts of Israel' / His pro-Jewish speech came as leading British vet called for a ban on traditional kosher and halal meat, calling for more humane methods

David Cameron yesterday vowed to defend the religious slaughter of animals in Britain.

In a strongly pro-Jewish speech to the Israeli Knesset, Mr Cameron said he would never allow a ban on the production of kosher meat, despite a call from Britain’s leading vet for it to be replaced by more humane methods.

Earlier this month, John Blackwell, president-elect of the British Veterinary Association, called for a ban on the traditional production of both kosher and halal meat.

He said the practice of slitting animals’ throats and allowing them to bleed to death caused unnecessary suffering - and suggested animals should be stunned first.

Several Tory MPs have also called for a ban on a method of slaughter used to kill an estimated 600,000 animals a week in British abattoirs.

But, to applause from Israeli MPs yesterday, Mr Cameron, who attempted to speak Hebrew, praised the Jewish community’s integration into British society, and said he would never allow a ban on religious slaughter, known as Schechita.

He said: ‘The Jewish community has been an absolute exemplar in integrating into British life in every way but integration doesn’t mean that you have to give up things that you hold very dear in your religion.

'When people challenged kosher Shechita. I have defended it. » | Jason Groves | Thursday, March 13, 2014

Denmark Bans Halal and Kosher Slaughter as Minister Says ‘Animal Rights Come Before Religion’

New law, denounced as 'anti-Semitism' by Jewish leaders,
comes after country controversially slaughtered a giraffe
in public and fed him to lions

THE INDEPENDENT: Denmark’s government has brought in a ban on the religious slaughter of animals for the production of halal and kosher meat, after years of campaigning from welfare activists.

The change to the law, announced last week and effective as of yesterday, has been called “anti-Semitism” by Jewish leaders and “a clear interference in religious freedom” by the non-profit group Danish Halal.

European regulations require animals to be stunned before they are slaughtered, but grants exemptions on religious grounds. For meat to be considered kosher under Jewish law or halal under Islamic law, the animal must be conscious when killed.

Yet defending his government’s decision to remove this exemption, the minister for agriculture and food Dan Jørgensen told Denmark’s TV2 that “animal rights come before religion”. » | Adam Withnall | Tuesday, February 18, 2014

NATIONAL SECULAR SOCIETY: Denmark bans religious slaughter » | Friday, February 14, 2014

WORLD BULLETIN: Denmark to ban halal and kosher slaughter methods » | World Bulletin / News Desk | Friday, February 14, 2014