MP calls for more info on the meat served in schools

children should be informed if any meat being served is not pre-stunned. I’m aware of religious sensitivities regarding the stunning of animals, and that the vast majority of halal meat is prestunned.

“I am making urgent inquiries to discover what policy Kirklees follows and will comment further in due course.”

Conservative councillor Lisa Holmes (Liversedge and Gomersal), who submitted a written question to the full meeting of Kirklees Council on November 7 says she has not received a formal response. The question, not heard due to time constraints, asked: “Is Kirklees Council the country’s biggest user of meat from animals that have their throats slit while fully conscious – despite 80 per cent of all UK halal meat being humanely stunned first, which is accepted by the Halal Food Authority?”

The council has since confirmed it is not the biggest user of non-stunned halal meat.

Clr Holmes says her question will be submitted to the council’s Cabinet meeting on December 11 but will only be answered if she attends.

She said: “We are not going to be fobbed off like that. We’ll just keep asking the questions. There is a way to get answers. I won’t give up. Clearly the Labour group doesn’t want to name the schools.

“I don’t have an issue with the schools but I do wonder if they have any idea what they are buying. We have to wonder where the YPO comes into this. It’s a well-known name so there is an element of trust attached to it. Schools also buy books and pens from YPO. Why would they question the meat they receive? Maybe they don’t have a clue.”

Karl Battersby, the council’s Strategic Director, Economy and Infrastructure, said Kirklees provides a catering service to 167 of the borough’s 196 schools. “Of these schools 42 serve halal meat, 16 of which do not offer a non-halal meat alternative although there is a provision of vegetarian and fish options.

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