STOP THIS PRACTICE

I APPLAUD the decision by Lancashire County Council’s ruling cabinet to stop supplying only halal meat from pre-stunned sheep and cattle to 27 schools (‘County council ends its supply of unstunned halal meat to schools’, July 20).

Geoff Driver, leader of the Council, points out that he has strongly supported the decision on the ‘sole grounds of animal welfare’ and yet Mr Abdul Hamid Qureshi, chairman of Lancashire Council of Mosques, has maintained the move is undemocratic and discriminatory.

As a nation of animal lovers surely the slaughtering of animals without being prestunned is an abhorrent practice.

The British Veterinary Association calls for animals to be electrically stunned before slaughter and it has been mandatory within the EU since 1979 with Switzerland, Denmark, Norway and Iceland in agreement. What a pity our liberal leaders have not followed their example.

I would go further and demand CCTV cameras in every abattoir.

Whilst I appreciate this is an emotive issue together with Mr Driver I insist it is an animal welfare matter.

I call upon Mr Qureshi to withdraw his school meals boycott at once.

It is unfair and unjust to the community he represents and influences. Jim Oldcorn Great Harwood