Asda under fire over plan to sell halal meat

Animal rights activists criticised a supermarket chain yesterday for its decision to stock halal meat.

Asda will next month sell the produce from animals that have not been stunned before their throats are cut.

A spokesman for Asda told trade magazine The Grocer that it was aware the decision would cause controversy.

The meat was being tested in a Birmingham store in response to customer demand.

“It is not being run by us, it’s being run by the National Halal Food
Group which sells the Mr Halal brand,” the spokesman said.

“It’s
just a trial in a single store. The reason it’s there is because of
customer demands in that area. Similar demands have not been made
elsewhere.”

Muhammed Yaqoob, the chief executive
of the National Halal Food Group, defended the traditional method of
killing the animal, claiming the beast suffered less than those that
were stunned.

But Vegetarians International Voice for Animals condemned the decision by Asda.

Viva’s
associate director, Tony Wardle, said: “Most Muslims are happy to eat
stunned Halal meat. When used properly the captive bolt pistol is
without doubt the lesser of two horrible evils.”

A spokesman for the RSPCA said the organisation was disappointed by Asda’s move.