European Halal Development Agency

Mohammad
Nazir, chairman of the West Midlands Minority Ethnic Business Forum,
has been given a leading role in establishing a European standard for
halal compliant produce.

He has been appointed as chair of the European Halal Development Agency
that aims to agree a standard across the 27 countries of the European
Union.

Mohammad Nazir, who is an international business consultant, is already co-chair of the UK Halal Corporation.

“There
is a huge opportunity because Europe has a large Muslim population and
there is a very big market for halal compliant produce, especially meat
products,” said Mohammad Nazir.

He said that discussions are
taking place with authorities in Malaysia, which is a recognised global
centre for halal meat and home of the World Halal Forum.

“We
have a great chance to establish the West Midlands as a European centre
for halal meat which would provide opportunities for farmers and meat
processing businesses,” added Mohammad Nazir.

“It also has to be
remembered that halal is not just about meat but also a range of other
food and none food products such as medicines, cosmetics and cleaning
agents.”

It is hoped that agreement on a standard can be reached in the next three of four months.

The
West Midlands Minority Ethnic Business Forum provides strategic advice
to the regional development agency Advantage West Midlands and other
partners on matters relating to minority ethnic entrepreneurship.