New standard is a boon for the Netherlands’ million-plus Muslims, but halal meat exports may be hobbled.

Brussels: As controversy continues over the disconnect between the European Union’s (EU) animal livestock stunning rules and halal slaughtering requirements, the Netherlands’ official Muslim representative organisation has designed a new halal standard that aims to create a system that respects both religious rules and animal welfare needs. Its goal will be to enable slaughter without pre-stunning, although will authorise stunning 40 seconds after the killing knife stroke is administered to minimise suffering.

The standard has been developed by the Netherlands’ point of contact between the Muslim community, the government and industry – Contactorgaan Moslims en Overheld (CMO). Its national Dutch halal standard (Nederlandse Halal Standaard – NHS) aims to secure a consensus over what product can be halal certified. CMO president Muhsin Köktas said the NHS is also designed as a template for kosher slaughtering, serving the Netherlands’ Jewish community. The CMO is conducting an awareness campaign to publicise the planned standard, which Köktas said should hopefully be published in February, following feedback from interested parties.