Aussie plan to push for halal standard rejected

The federal government has rejected a parliamentary committee’s
call for the creation of an international halal meat standard.

Since 1983 the federal government has been running the
Australian Government Muslim Slaughter (AGMS) Program, an halal
livestock slaughter scheme.

Muslims require all meat to be slaughtered according to halal,
or permissible, rules which vary from country to country.

The foreign affairs sub-committee of the Joint Standing
Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade recommended the
AGMS be used as a benchmark for the promotion of an international
halal standard suiting all countries.

“The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (should)
promote in international for the adoption of a transparent and
efficient halal standard,” the sub-committee wrote.

But the government did not address the recommendation, instead
using its response to defend the AGMS.

“The AGMS is an international halal standard accepted by the
majority of Australia’s halal export markets,” the government
wrote.

It also rejected the second recommendation that the department
create a single halal certifying body for Australia.

“The government and red meat industry does not support this
recommendation.

“It is important that industry has a choice of approved Islamic
organisations to facilitate the halal certification.

“The development of a single halal certifying body … risks
creating a potentially unfair and uncompetitive monopoly
situation.”