Halal ‘at some schools’

halal meat being humanely stunned first, which is accepted by the Halal Food Authority?”

Schools in Kirklees have had the opportunity to choose halal meat as part of their meals provision for a quarter of a century.

The council says its current School Meals Service policy was developed following consultation with parents, children and representatives of the Islamic faith and that the policy is “kept under review”.

Last year Lancashire County Council banned meat from animals that have not been stunned from council-supplied school meals.

The move was described “hugely discriminatory”.

Kirklees Council Cabinet Member for Schools, Clr Masood Ahmed said: “We all understand that there is a need to offer choice to our Muslim children for religious reasons.

“It is within this context that our policy was developed, back in 2006. My understanding is that we used non-stunned [meat] before 2006. The 2006 consultation resulted in the Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC) becoming the accrediting body.”

The NSS says the HMC only certifies non-stunned meat as halal.

Responding to Clr Holmes’s question Clr Ahmed added: “The HMC endorsement is the accepted standard amongst Muslim communities through choice, resulting in demand for this status.

“I fully understand and I am aware of issues around animal welfare concern and that all children should always have a choice about the food they eat. I take this very seriously and agree with you that no child should be denied choice.

“To be totally clear: Kirklees Council is not the biggest user of non-stunned halal meat. Along with the other West Yorkshire authorities we source our halal meat from the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation.

“In schools where there is 100% halal, the menus are labelled as such; where there is both, these are clearly labelled with a tent card, separated colour-coded red dishes, and children are supported by schools to know which is which.

“The menus are colour-coded red for halal options and served from red dishes cooked, served and prepared separately. Parents should be informed by schools directly of the particular process for their schools as they vary.

“It is also on our school meal website informing parents to contact their school regarding halal, non halal and special diets.”

Clr Holmes said the council’s statement did not address her concerns and added: “The Conservative group is not in support of any nonstunned halal meat in Kirklees’ schools. We have no issue with prestunned halal meat but where nonstunned is being served there should be an alternative.”