§ Mr. CurryTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what estimate he has made of the number of poultry slaughtered according to halal tradition other than in licensed premises in the United Kingdom; and what assessment he has made of the health risk associated with unregulated slaughter; [11254]
(2) what estimate he has made of the number of poultry being slaughtered by halal traditional methods in the United Kingdom. [11253]
Dr. John CunninghamData are not held separately for poultry slaughtered by traditional halal methods.
I am concerned about the possible health risks associated with the production of poultry meat in unlicensed premises. That is why we have undertaken a review of the exemptions under the Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995, as announced on 19 June 1997, Official Report, column 443.
§ Mr. CurryTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to meet representatives of the Halal Food Authority to discuss poultry slaughter methods. [11245]
Dr. CunninghamThe Halal Food Authority wrote to me on 3 June about, among other things, the law as it relates to slaughter by the halal method. It has been invited to set out in more detail the nature of its concerns.