Jakim to audit all Australian abattoirs after halal violation

 

Religious affairs minister Idris Ahmad said the Australian halal authority had admitted that an abattoir had violated halal protocols. (File pic)

TAIPING: A halal team from Jakim, the Islamic development department, is to conduct audits at all abattoirs in Australia that supply meat to Malaysia, religious affairs minister Idris Ahmad said.

He said the team will also meet the Supreme Islamic Council of Halal Meat in Australia (Sichma), the halal certification body.

Sichma had confirmed that the Thomas Foods International Lobethal abattoir in Australia had violated halal protocols in the slaughtering process.

On May 13, Jakim had cancelled the approval given to the abattoir to supply meat to Malaysia pending an investigation.

“Today, Sichma has admitted that the plant had violated the terms of the halal certification,” he told reporters here today.

Idris said any plant with a dubious slaughter process could be reported to Jakim for investigation. “Before this, we had never received information, through letters or attachés, about wrongful practices at abattoirs in Australia,” he said. - FMT