What quality standard mark does the UK's AHDB provide for Halal lamb?

Under the plan by the UK's Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), British Halal lamb can be marked with a new supply chain quality assurance mark. Two marks will be used: one for reversibly stunned, and one for meat slaughtered without stunning according to traditional Halal regulations (the mark does not mention whether stunning was used). Recoverable stunning is done by shocking the animal's head and does not kill the animal; recoverable-stunning products produced on approved farms can also obtain farm quality assurance marks such as Red Tractor.

What is the proportion of lamb consumption by the UK's Muslim population?

According to 2011 data, the 4.6% Muslim population of the UK consumed 24% of lamb (16% of domestic lamb consumption), and the AHDB expects this proportion to grow in the coming years. To obtain the new mark, premises must have an approved assurance scheme covering welfare, storage, hygiene, food safety, labeling and traceability, as well as a written Halal policy, a Halal inspector or management team, and strict isolation of pork to prevent cross-contamination.

UK: AHDB Provides a Quality Standard Mark for Halal Lamb

Under a plan by the AHDB (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board), British Halal lamb may be marked with a new supply chain quality assurance mark to support the increasingly important market for lamb producers.

In 2011, the 4.6% Muslim population of the UK accounted for 24% of lamb consumption and 16% of domestic lamb consumption, and the AHDB expects this proportion to grow in the coming years.

Two marks will be used to label the meat: one for reversibly stunned, and one for meat slaughtered without stunning according to traditional Halal regulations, although the mark will not mention whether stunning was used.

Recoverable stunning is done by shocking the animal's head and does not kill it.

If recoverable-stunning products are produced on an approved farm, they can also obtain a farm quality assurance mark, such as Red Tractor, although this is not mandatory in the mark labeling.

Specific policies:

The AHDB said it will develop a best-practice guide for the traditional method of slaughter, describing in detail the slaughter process that ensures minimal animal welfare.

A third method of slaughter will also be accepted, because animals are also frightened after being slaughtered, as they remain conscious for a long period. These will be called stunned Halal.

The AHDB said that to qualify for the new mark, they must have an approved premises assurance scheme that covers welfare, storage, hygiene and food safety, labeling and traceability standards.

Each premises also needs a written Halal policy specifying how much Halal-compliant product is expected to be produced, production controls, and how non-Halal-compliant products are isolated.

In addition, a Halal inspector or management team is required to implement this decision.

The AHDB also proposed strict regulations on pork as part of the plan, to prevent slaughtering pork and ensure that pork and Halal meat are physically isolated during storage and transportation.

For future export, these marks may be related to rules of origin.

The AHDB is consulting on the plan, with a deadline of August 30.

FAQ

What quality standard mark does the UK's AHDB provide for Halal lamb?: Under the plan by the UK's Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), British Halal lamb can be marked with a new supply chain quality assurance mark. Two marks will be used: one for reversibly stunned, and one for meat slaughtered without stunning according to traditional Halal regulations (the mark does not mention whether stunning was used). Recoverable stunning is done by shocking the animal's head and does not kill the animal; recoverable-stunning products produced on approved farms can also obtain farm quality assurance marks such as Red Tractor.
What is the proportion of lamb consumption by the UK's Muslim population?: According to 2011 data, the 4.6% Muslim population of the UK consumed 24% of lamb (16% of domestic lamb consumption), and the AHDB expects this proportion to grow in the coming years. To obtain the new mark, premises must have an approved assurance scheme covering welfare, storage, hygiene, food safety, labeling and traceability, as well as a written Halal policy, a Halal inspector or management team, and strict isolation of pork to prevent cross-contamination.

FAQ

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