Halal labeling of Sarkozy, an almost impossible task
Halal or not halal. Since the controversy launched by Marine Le Pen, before the cuts of meat, the question arises. In response, Nicolas Sarkozy wants a clear distinction between the classical deduction, that is to say, after stunning the animal, and depression according to Muslim ritual or Jewish, is very funny. "We recognize everyone's right to know what he eats, halal or not. I therefore wish the labeling of meat according to the method of slaughter, "said the head of state on Saturday during his meeting in Bordeaux.
An announcement of the president candidate is a surprise: there is only one week, the government has withdrawn a bill (with a leader Françoise Hostalier, MP North UMP) up very precisely in this sense. Recently, also, the Agriculture Minister Bruno Le Maire recalled that it was not "stigmatize" the affected communities, bolstering the positions-very-powerful clerics and the food industry, which fears that such labels do disrupt the meat market. In 2010, another member Nicolas Dhuicq, the UMP too, suffered the same setbacks, still under government pressure.
Labeling unlikely
Today, the labeling of halal products is not mandatory. The "Halal" appears prominently on thousands of products, and proves to be an excellent marketing strategy. Nevertheless, it is nothing regulatory. In other words, you can eat a product marked "halal" is really without his. And you can also consume a product that is not stamped "halal", but he is yet.
Label products to better distinguish them, the solution seems simple. But only in theory because in practice the regulatory framework does not allow it. This would, in the same way as for the AB logo affixed to the products of organic farming, that Europe gives the green light. For labeling becomes mandatory, the proposal would have "obtain a qualified majority of the European Commission and Parliament," assures us there at the Ministry of Agriculture.
But Europe has already said no: in 2009, the debate on the conditions of slaughter was then opened, and in 2011, consumer information, "but this has not been retained, while several states EU did not see the need, "says one cabinet ministry, even if the pressure of industrialists and representatives of Jewish and Muslim communities is also denounced. If Spain and Lithuania have defended such a project, others are turned. Sweden and Austria, for example, the ritual slaughter as it is even forbidden, these important country all their halal or kosher.
A risk of rising prices
Thus, if the labeling became mandatory method of slaughter, an ox killed without stunning is cataloged "halal" or "kosher" from head to toe. Or for example, according to Jewish tradition, only the "top" of the beast can be consumed. The rest – the back – going on in the conventional circuit. Thus, a tab or a bib, that Jews do not eat, labeled "very funny" could remain on the shelves. The butchers are concerned about having to sell off the pieces. And these losses through higher prices elsewhere.
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