Kirklees says it’s up to schools to inform about halal
AN OPT-OUT WAS REMOVED FROM COUNCIL POLICY IN 2006
w/c 17/12/18 Available in majority of stores. Whilst stocks last. Offers/prices may vary at morrisons.com and Morrisons Daily. British White Potatoes 20p/kg • British Brussels Sprouts £1/kg. Salmon offer ends Monday 24th December 2018. Potatoes, Sprouts and Carrots offer ends Monday 31st December 2018. Serving suggestion. AN assurance ensuring schoolchildren could opt out of eating halal meat meals was removed from Kirklees Council’s policy 12 years ago.
Critics of the policy say it is outdated and does not adequately represent the current state of affairs in schools that receive meat from the council’s official provider.
It is the latest twist in an unseemly row over the serving of halal meat in the borough’s schools.
Kirklees Council says it is the responsibility of schools to disseminate information about halal content on its menus to parents.
Conservative councillor Lisa Holmes (Liversedge and Gomersal), who has raised concerns about what she feels is pupils’ lack of choice around halal meat, said it was wrong to pass responsibility onto schools.
“Why have they even got a policy if it’s up to the school?” she asked.
“It’s a cop-out. It’s easier to push it back onto the schools.
“I want to know where this policy fits. A lot of the schools adopt Kirklees’ policy direction but it’s up to the school governing board which one they adopt.
“Do schools have to follow this policy? Is it advisory or mandatory?
“Most parents would probably be okay with pre-stunned halal meat. It’s a different level of acceptance. It all comes back to animal welfare.
“But it’s halal or nothing in 16 schools. That’s not fair.”
Halal meat has been provided to schools in Kirklees since 1992. Original guidelines said it had to be made available at all schools with 10 or more pupils of the Muslim faith regularly participating in the school meal service.
In 2006 the policy was revised with the number increased to 20 or more pupils.
And following consultation with parents, pupils, governors, North Kirklees Asian Governors’ Forum, Islamic scholars and leaders, and community and women’s groups the council agreed that the halal meat provided to schools must not be pre-stunned.
It is this aspect that has caused consternation as some people consider the ritual slaughter of still-conscious animals - by cutting the throat - to be inhumane.
In 2018 there are 196 schools in Kirklees of which 167 receive a catering service from council.
Of those schools 42 serve halal meat, 16 of which do not offer a non-halal meat alternative although there are vegetarian and fish options.
The authority only serves nonstunned halal meat as that is what is deemed acceptable by overseeing body the Halal Monitoring Committee.
Responding to a Freedom of Information inquest the council said it does not hold a list of all schools in the borough that serve halal meat, nor does it hold a list of all schools in the borough not offering an alternative choice of meat.
Instead it directs residents to online links detailing all schools in the borough that are supplied with halal meat and non-halal meat by Kirklees Catering Services.
Karl Battersby, the council’s Strategic Director for Economy and Infrastructure, said: “All the menus for the schools we provide to are online, and clearly state whether the meat is halal or not, and whether special dietary choices are offered.
“Schools also communicate this to their parents and children. Nothing changed in 2016 when officers looked again at the 2006 policy.” These holidays are organised & operated by Newmarket Holidays Ltd. ABTA V7812. ATOL protected 2325. Subject to availability. Single supplements apply Standard phone charges