Retreat on halal labelling
EURO MPs shied away from labelling meat from ritually slaughtered animals as halal yesterday to avoid causing religious offence.
Members of the European Parliament’s food safety committee voted for clear labels so consumers can see whether animals were stunned or not before being slaughtered.
But the supermarket labels would simply say “meat from slaughter without stunning” rather than “halal”.
The proposals are expected to be opposed by national governments which are concerned that the issue is too controversial for EU food labelling rules.
British officials have indicated that the Government will not support the latest call.