Prison Service threatened withlegal action over halal meat

17 April 1998

Prison Service threatened with
legal action over halal meat

COMPASSION in World Farming expressed shock when it emerged that some prisons were providing halal meat ritually slaughtered to all inmates.

Under normal Islamic practice, the animals are not stunned before their throats are cut. Animal rights supporters believe they suffer severe pain and distress for several minutes.

Now animal welfare activists are threatening to take the Prison Service to court on the basis that the law says all animals must be stunned before slaughter except for the food of Muslims or Jews.

Peter Stevenson, political and legal director of Compassion in World Farming, said he might apply for judicial review of the Prison Service policy and individual governors actions if something was not done.

• The Daily Telegraph 17/04/98 page 9