The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture has confirmed that halal meat has been produced on request at Isle of Man Meats.
DEFA told Manx.News, that in all cases, animals were stunned as part of the slaughter process.
Under Manx law animals must be stunned before slaughter at the Isle of Man Meat Plant.
Religious Slaughter
DEFA added: “The religious slaughter exemption that exists in some other jurisdictions is not included in the Isle of Man’s retained legislation, meaning slaughter without stunning is not permitted on the island.”
The department explained that whilst it has been produced at the plant, halal meat is not produced routinely at the Meat Plant.
There is no legal requirement for halal meat to be labelled according to whether stunning took place, and Products from the Isle of Man Meat Plant do not require religious slaughter labelling because slaughter without stunning does not occur.
IOM Meats
However, last week in a statement to Manx.News, IOM Meats said: “Isle of Man Meats does not currently carry out religious slaughter, including halal or kosher methods.
“All animals processed at our facility are slaughtered humanely in accordance with Isle of Man legislation and established animal welfare standards.”
Whilst legislation and animal welfare is not up for debate, IOM Meats stating it does not currently carry out religious slaughter does conflict the latest statement issued by DEFA.