UK: Halal operators plan conference boycott

Halal operators in the UK are planning to boycott the upcoming AHDB Beef & Lamb annual conference over concerns on how the levy is being spent.

The conference takes place on Tuesday 3 November in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.

One producer, who did not want to be named, told Meat Trades Journal that operators felt let down by the levy board. “The AHDB-beef-lambgeneral consensus is that Muslim abattoir owners feel they are being let down by AHDB. We pay a lot of money towards the levies and the resources are being spent on campaigns like Red Tractor which doesn’t recognise religious slaughter.

“What we pay the levy for is so that AHDB Beef & Lamb market meat for us. It’s a shame that it has come to this, but they should be taking a bit more notice of halal and supporting us.”

Another halal operator, who also wished to remain anonymous, added that the levy board was constantly making promises that it wasn’t keeping and that was why they planned to boycott the event. “Every year there are promises to support the sector more, but it’s become apparent that they are simply paying lip service to us. We hope that this can be averted, but as it stands, we’re forced to boycott the conference.”

A spokesperson for AHDB Beef & Lamb said: “We’ve been particularly active in the halal sector in 2015 and keen to engage with the industry as much as possible. We would welcome discussion with anyone with concerns, especially if they feel we can do more.”

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