PROLIFERATION OF HALAL CERTIFICATION BODIES IN THE UK

AND HALAL CONSUMERS!

by

Masood Butt
MA, MBA, DBA, GDL, GCilex
Business Lawyer

Anyone with above average networking and media awareness would have noticed an
increased campaign and emergence of new interest groups following a continuous, regular
and relentless community work done by some good Associations in the Halal Meat sector.

Initially it was hoped that non-stun supporters such as the Halal Council might just disappear
soon or its work may go unnoticed. However, despite the strong opposing views and
pumping unmatchable resources by those whose business and other interests may have
been at risk the Halal Council and its support is still strong, sound and focused.

However where it has raised awareness to certain extent about the invisible and hard to
catch breaches of UK legislation in the Halal Meat sector, it has equally woken up many
sleeping wolves who have smelt the blood in the sense of potential money making
opportunity from ignorant or unaware Muslim community. Some of them are so called
professionals and others are covert religious establishments who may already have minted
several hundred thousand pounds on the name and from Muslim communities. They claim
to be blessed and appropriately positioned to rightly guide the Muslims. Alas! if there was
such a hope British Muslims would not be in this state of confusion to start with.

One who is concerned therefore need to be alert that many fledgling and new entities are to
be floated to offer Halal Assured or Halal Committees and Authorities led certifications so
that whatever money can be grabbed and whatever confusion can be created it is done
covertly or directly now. It is interesting to note that they were all sleeping until it was
identified and publicised that there is something not quite right in the Halal Meat industry
by supporters of Non-Stun (Zabiha Halal). Now they are preparing to have their cut of the
market.
No problem with that approach provided they are willing to invest time and resources to
understand and connect with the industry. They will say, “No who has time for that long
winded approach”.

Unfortunately, self-interest, short sightedness, greed and disunity have become hall marks
of today’s Muslim community. So, the opportunists will not stop at any cost.

The ultimate victim is ordinary Muslim family who will spend the money hoping that they
are feeding themselves genuine Halal meat products.

The target audience of this paper is that individual or family who despite all odds want to
ensure that they get what they ask for under protected consumer rights. The other target
audience include those business owners and food establishments who genuinely want to
offer certified and approved products to their loyal customers.

The safe suggestion is not to trust any certification or promise given by any third party.
Fortunately, the consumers who live in United Kingdom benefit from a country which has
long-established and tested legal system. It has provided us legal protection under Welfare
of Animals at the time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015 under which Muslims are
allowed to continue to enjoy Non-Stun Meat by way of choosing exemption under religious
method of slaughter and there are several slaughter houses In England and Wales who
guarantee to provide it to ordinary consumer bearing higher production costs and lower
throughput.

So, the Government has already approved them and there is nothing more which need
doing. Government has resources to monitor and approve far beyond any single
certification body can imagine to offer. The Halal consumer’s responsibility is to ask the
butcher if S/he is getting the Government approved pure Halal meat or not.

The Halal Council has developed the simple system through which any interested person
can check the source of Halal Meat. All one needs to do is to find out 4 digit plant number
which is stamped on the carcass or find out from butcher and download the mobile
application from HalalAnsa.com and check if it is from Government approved Non-stun
slaughter house.
As a Muslim it is your responsibility to remove doubt from your faith. ANSA has helped you
to do it simply without any unreasonable cost to you. Do not believe others believe in
yourself. As it is said that, “Allah helps those who help themselves”.

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Masood Butt is a business lawyer with specialist knowledge of Halal Food

Industry. He has written frequently on this subject and works closely with non-
stun slaughterhouses guaranteeing production of Halal Meat in the UK. He is a
member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and a consultant lawyer
with Pambrook Solicitors in Birmingham as well as a legal consultant with MB Legal.