UK: New Report aims to Improve understanding of Halal Meat

Eblex will publish the first authoritative study of the halal red meat industry in England next week.

The report, entitled ‘The halal meat market: Specialist supply chain structures and consumer purchase and consumption profiles in England’, will give an overview of the halal market and provide an insight into Muslim consumers’ attitudes to halal meat, using qualitative and quantitative research supported by extensive desk research.

While the Muslim community in the UK represents only 3% of the population, they consume 20% of all the lamb sold in England, together with an increasing amount of beef, it is estimated, in a sector that is said to be a multi-million pound contributor to the British economy.

The report is described as breaking new ground in presenting a detailed demographic breakdown of Muslim consumers of red meat and examining their purchasing and consumption behaviour, including an overview of the most popular cuts and preferences. In particular, it explores the key issues of religious slaughter and the attitudes of Muslim consumers.

The research was commissioned by the Halal Steering Group under the support of the Eblex sector board.

Naved Syed, Janan Meat MD and Steering Group member, said: “This an excellent piece of research carried out for the halal market, the researcher had spoken to 1000 Muslim consumers on a one to one bases, and they actually recorded what they had said rather than their own views. I believe this research will add strength and support for the Food Standard Agency’s Guidance Note on halal food issued by Ms Sarah Appleby, head of enforcement and local authority delivery division, to be adopted.

“I am hopeful that the public issue of this report will improve the understanding of halal meat in both Muslim and Non-Muslim consumers.”

The steering group is currently consulting with the industry on the findings of the research. To request a hard copy of the report, email admin@eblex.org.uk.

It will be available to download from www.eblex.org.uk from early 2011.