Animal Care & Handling During Slaughter

Muhammad M. Chaudry, President ======Islamic Food & Nutrition Council of America Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. Philosophy of Kindness to Animals

"Allah has decreed that whatever is to be done should be perfect and sublime. Hence, when you kill, kill well; and when you slaughter, slaughter well: sharpen your blade and handle with kindness, that which you slaughter." History of Halal Certification

• Halal regulations are almost 1400 years old. • Concept of Halal certification started about 35 years ago.

• Halal meat was always prepared by and usually sold by Muslims. Slaughter Requirements

• Animals must be of the Halal species, cattle, sheep, goats, camels, poultry • Animals must be well fed, watered and rested • Animals to be slaughtered by sane adult Muslim while invoking the name of God Slaughter Requirements

• Humane handling to be practiced throughout the process • Stunning may be permitted provided it is not fatal. Some groups recommend mild forms of concussion or impact stunners which might have higher failure rate. Restraining Methods

• Conveyor belt/Double rail are recommended • Hoisting from one or both legs to be used only on stunned animals • Well designed Boxes/Restrainers are recommended Acceptable Stunning Methods

• Slaughter w/o Stunning is preferred

• Mushroom shaped stunner is acceptable • Captive bolts accepted, if not fatal • Electrical stunning is accepted, if not fatal

• Gas stunning is not accepted To Stun or Not To Stun

• Slaughter is to be done without previously affecting the animal's nervous system, the brain, or the spinal cord. • "Appropriate de-sensitizing or restraining methods can be used to control the animal provided the animal is not dead before the actual slaughter...“ Argument against Stunning

“ Forbidden to you is carrion, blood, and the flesh of swine and that over which other than God’s name has been invoked and what has been strangled and what has been beaten to death and what has fallen to death and what has been gored to death and what has been eaten by a predator…..except that which you duly slaughter” Qur’an: 5:3 Condition for Stunning

• Many Muslim groups permit the animal to be stunned lightly prior to slaughter – Animal should be able to “wake up” in a few minutes and be able to eat in 5 to 10 minutes Slaughter Requirements

• Knife must be very sharp to cut the throat in a swift motion • Complete fast removal of blood from the carcass • Removal of limbs, ears, horns or other actions while the animal is still alive are not desirable. Method of Slaughter

• Slaughter with a sharp object (knife) and in a swift sweep (can raise hand and return immediately to the process). • Front of the neck. Esophagus, trachea, two jugular veins and two arteries without cutting the spinal cord. • Done between the lower jaw and the breast bone. Care and Welfare

The Prophet cursed the one who did Muthla to an animal, i.e., cut its limbs or some other part of its body while it is still alive (Bukhari). Care and welfare

• Not mercilessly dragged, not pressed or squeezed, not frightened at slaughter by sharpening the knife or killing another animal in front of them.

• No part of the body must be cut prior to actual slaughter or before ensuring complete death. Stun and Slaughter

• Head Holder for Stunning [grandin.com] Slaughter w/o Stunning

• ASPCA Box [grandin.com] Slaughtering/Bleeding Methods

• Cutting across the throat is preferred w/o stunning or with electrical stunning • Cutting skin, then vessels and other passages allowed after stunning • Chest stick into heart is not accepted • Neck stab and forward cut is not accepted

[Slaughter men training a big issue] Sources of Islamic Law

• The Holy Qur'an • The or the Traditions of the Prophet • : exertions by jurist • : a consensus of opinion • : reasoning by analogy • Ma'ruf: customary • Maslahat: A judgment for the public good Avoid Doubtful Things

“The halal is clear and the is clear; in between these two there are doubtful matters concerning which people do not know whether they are halal or haram. One who avoids them, in order to safeguard his and his honor, is safe.” (Bukhari) Dhabiha and Halal

• Dhabiha: Slaughtered, lawful meat, meaning slaughtered by a Muslim

• Halal means permitted or lawful. It applies to everything including general behavior and earns one the blessings“

“Behaving kindly to any soul is a blessing.“ [Muhammad] Degrees of Acceptability

• Obligatory [Halal = Lawful]

• Imperative

• Highly recommended

• Recommended

• Commendable/ liked Degrees of Acceptability

• Indifferent / neutral

• Not commendable

• Improper

• Disapproved

• Condemned

• Forbidden [Haram] Export Requirements

• Middle East – No Stunning – Traditional Cut – Muslim, Jewish or Christian Slaughterer • Malaysia – Mild stunning – Traditional cut – Muslim slaughterer In Conclusion

• Religious slaughter deserves a second look. • An objective scientific look • Let us work together Thank You [email protected]