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Halal certification in Australia

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Halal certification in Australia began in 1974. The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) was recommended as the prime authority for the standardisation and oversight for food products purchased by religious Muslims in Australia.[1]

Halal literally means "permissible" in Arabic and refers to food items that are permissible to consume under Sharia law, whereas Haram (lit. unlawful) refers to any substance not permitted to consume. According to the Australian Food and Grocery Council, Halal must be "free from any substance taken or extracted from a Haram animal or ingredient (e.g. pigs, dogs, carnivorous animals, animals not slaughtered in compliance with Islamic rites); made, processed, manufactured and/or stored by using utensils, equipment and/or machinery that has been cleaned according to Islamic law (e.g. not cleaned with alcohol); and free from contact with, or being close to, a Haram substance during preparation, manufacture, processing and storage (e.g. blood, alcohol, poisonous and intoxicating plants and insects such as worms and cockroaches)."[2]

The Australian Government does not have a formal role in labelling Halal food for domestic consumption.[3]

Halal serves as part of the trade links between Australia and several Muslim countries, particularly Middle Eastern ones. Halal meat and meat product exports to the Middle East and Southeast Asia have greatly increased from the 1970s onwards. This expansion was due in part to efforts of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils.[4]: 151  Certification, which involves both costs[5] and restrictions,[6][7] is necessary to access this large export market.[8] The federal Department of Agriculture approves the certification of Halal food for export to Islamic countries.[3]

Background

In 1981, a meat substitution scandal where substitution of horse and kangaroo meat for beef in consignments for overseas exports threatened the reputation of the Australian meat export industry.[9][10] The next year, a Royal Commission into the meat industry investigated mislabelling of meat products, which included forged halal certificates.[11][12] The Royal Commission said that Halal certification monopolies should be avoided and that fees charged should "not be seen as a way of raising revenue for other Muslim purposes unconnected with the meat industry."[12][10]

Australian certification for halal meat exports

In Australia specified halal accreditation agencies are permitted to certify as Halal the exports of red meat and red meat products to Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and Qatar.[13] Approaches have been made to the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) by various Australian agencies to establish accreditation for particular Australian certification arrangements to secure the export trade for halal-certified meat products.[14] For approval, Indonesia specifies that there be both a scientist and an expert in Islamic law working within the Australian organisation seeking halal accreditation.[15] During the lobbying process by Australia for Indonesian halal accreditation, corruption has been alleged and denied.[16][17][18]

In assessing halal meat exports to the US, an investigation by Halal Advocates of America covered "over ten" slaughterhouses in Australia. They determined that there are differences in the, "degree of reliability and trustworthiness" of Australian halal certifying bodies, that pre-stunning is being used and that none of the slaughterers had "deviated beliefs or belonged to one of the deviated sects". The investigators said they were satisfied with the certification processes of ICCV and SICHMA and said there was great potential in working with these two organisations in the future.[19]

Certification bodies

As at March 2017 there were 22 Islamic groups approved by the federal government to issue halal certificates for export.[13] The four major halal certifiers are: the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC); the Halal Certification Authority Australia; the Supreme Islamic Council of Halal Meat in Australia and the Islamic Co-ordinating Council of Victoria.[20] These organisations charge fees for their services: a Parliamentary Library publication states that the prices vary "depending on the product involved, the organisation from which certification is sought and whether the goods are for export or domestic consumption. However, the fees are often modest."[21] It is reported that AFIC earns up to $1 million a year from halal certification.[22]

Similarly, the certification of food produced in Australia as Kosher (the other primary form of religion-based certification) is largely conducted by two non-government organisations. In states not covered by these organisations local rabbis undertake this duty.[23] The Kosher certification bodies also charge fees for this service.[24]

Debate regarding Halal slaughter

There is a debate within the Muslim community over whether meat from animals which are killed after first being stunned can be considered Halal.[8] While research undertaken by Meat & Livestock Australia supports the use of pre-slaughter stunning,[25] Ikebal Patel, the then president of AFIC, believes, "the jury is still out".[26] The RSPCA says while the vast majority of halal slaughter in Australia involves pre-slaughter stunning,[27] "the slaughter of a fully conscious animal is inhumane and completely unnecessary" and is strongly lobbying for action against this practice for all domestic and export animals.[28]

Halal logos as registered Trade Marks

Australian halal certification marks can be registered by the legal owner under the Australian Trade Mark Act. Doing so requires the owner to consistently provide products of the specified standard.[29] Mis-use of trade marks can lead to legal penalties: In a 2014 court case, HCAA successfully sued a meat supplier which had provided a certificate to two kebab shops which included the authority's trade mark and wrongly claimed that it had certified the meat. The Supreme Court awarded damages, against the wholesaler, of $91,015.00 being 150% of the annual licence fees, that would have been otherwise payable.[30][31] A 2015 Senate inquiry recommended that all Halal certification schemes register trade marks and for the sector to consider adopting a single trade mark to improve confidence that products marketed as halal meet the required standards.[32]

Opposition to Halal certification

In 2014 anti Halal Certification groups campaigned against Australian food companies in an attempt to discourage them from having their food certified as being halal. Some of these groups argued that the cost of certification increases the prices of food to all consumers,[22] and that the fees charged for certification are used to fund terrorism.[33] In November 2014 Fleurieu Milk & Yoghurt Company decided to stop producing halal products after being targeted by campaigners, and a number of other large and small companies were also reported to have been targeted.[34] Keysar Trad from the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils told a journalist in July 2014 that these groups were attempting to exploit anti-Muslim sentiments.[22]

In 2015 the head of the Halal Certification Authority Australia, Mohammed El-Mouelhy took legal action in the NSW Supreme Court against members of the Q Society of Australia and the owner of a website entitled HalalChoices. El-Mouelhy claims he has been defamed in relation to the proceeds of halal certification.[35][36]

In mid-2017 it was revealed several companies in Australia including Kellogg’s had ceased paying for Halal certification. They denied it was in response to pressure from campaigners; however Mohamed Elmouelhy of the private Halal Certification Authority stated that "Yes, of course. There was a campaign."[37]

Parliamentary response

In May 2015, the Australian Senate announced it would inquire into "third-party certification of food"[38] with one of the terms of reference being an examination of Australian food certification schemes, and certifiers, including those related to halal foods.[39]

The inquiry's final report was released on 1 December 2015. It recommended that the federal government increase its oversight of domestic halal certifiers to address fraudulent conduct in the sector.[40] It said that it had heard, "credible reports suggesting that the lack of regulation has been unscrupulously exploited". In tabling the report, committee chairman Sam Dastyari said, "Some certifiers are nothing more than scammers."[41] The inquiry examined claims that fees charged by halal certifiers are used to fund terrorism and found that no evidence supports them.[42][43] The inquiry also determined that halal fees are not used to support organised crime in Australia.[40] It also concluded that the fees do not increase the cost of food to Australians, and that the availability of halal certification allows Australian exporters to access very large international markets.[40] The committee recommended a single halal certification authority.[41] The committee in recommending clearer labelling, specifically referred to the need for meat processors to label products sourced from animals subject to religious slaughter.[44]

The inquiry could not establish detailed information on names and numbers of non-meat product certifiers.[45]

On 22 June 2017 Senator Pauline Hanson, the leader of Pauline Hanson's One Nation moved a motion in the Australian Senate calling on the government to respond to the inquiry. The motion was passed.[46][47]

In August 2017 the government said it would consider amending regulations in relation to halal certification for export and also consider standardising the certification of food in the domestic market.[48]

See also

References

  1. ^ "After the Second World War". islamiccouncilwa.com.au.
  2. ^ "Halal Certification " Australian Food & Grocery Council". afgc.org.au.
  3. ^ a b Medhora, Shalailah (13 April 2015). "Barnaby Joyce defends halal after Coalition MPs express concern". The Guadian. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  4. ^ Kabir, Nahid. "Muslims In Australia." Archived 4 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine Routledge. Accessed 17 November 2014.
  5. ^ Religious levy costs Queensland abattoirs thousands each month
  6. ^ "Queensland abattoirs hit with thousands in Halal certification fees". Food Magazine.
  7. ^ "Aussie firms paying inflated price to have Halal certification". NewsComAu.
  8. ^ a b Wong, James; Millie, Julian (12 February 2015). "Explainer: what is halal, and how does certification work?". The Conversation. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  9. ^ http://websearch.aic.gov.au/firstaicPublic/fullRecord.jsp?recno=207474[permanent dead link]
  10. ^ a b http://websearch.aic.gov.au/firstaicPublic/fullRecord.jsp?recno=214395[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ "How they fed us donkey burgers". Canberra Times.
  12. ^ a b "The Truth About Halal". Four Corners. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 7 September 2015.
  13. ^ a b "List of recognised Islamic bodies for halal certification of red meat". Department of Agriculture and Water Resources. 3 March 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  14. ^ "Australian Business Shows Proof of MUI Trip Fees". Tempo. 27 February 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  15. ^ "Din Syamsuddin: Hardliners from all religions like to wage war". Tempo. 21 March 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  16. ^ "Australia caught in 'cash-for-Halal'". The Australian. 24 February 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  17. ^ "Halal Certificate for Sale". Tempo. 24 February 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  18. ^ "Editorial: Halal and transparency". The Jakarta Post. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  19. ^ "Australian Meat Report". Halal Advocates of America. 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  20. ^ Johnson, Chris (28 December 2014). "Why halal certification is in turmoil". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  21. ^ Murphy, Jaan (30 August 2016). "Halal certification in Australia: a quick guide". Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  22. ^ a b c Masanauskas, John (18 July 2014). "Halal food outrage from anti-Islam critics". Herald Sun. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  23. ^ Senate Economics References Committee (1 December 2015). "Third party certification of food". Parliament of Australia. pp. 11–13. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  24. ^ Murphy, Jaan (7 March 2017). "Kosher food certification in Australia: a quick guide". Parliamentary Library. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  25. ^ Pleiter, Helmut (February 2010). "Review of Stunning and Halal Slaughter" (PDF). Meat & Livestock Australia. ISBN 9781741915730. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ Puddy, Rebecca (23 June 2011). "Ritual animal killing routine in Australia". The Australian. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  27. ^ "What is Halal slaughter in Australia?". RSPCA. 19 January 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  28. ^ "Un-Stunned Slaughter". RSPCA. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  29. ^ Senate Economics References Committee (1 December 2015). "Third party certification of food". Parliament of Australia. p. 8. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  30. ^ Doyle, Brett (10 July 2014). "Sheesh! Kebab sellers' unauthorised trade mark certification a costly mistake". Clayton Utz. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  31. ^ "Federal Court awards additional damages for flagrant infringement of halal certification trade mark". davies.com.au.
  32. ^ Senate Economics References Committee (1 December 2015). "Third party certification of food". Parliament of Australia. pp. 32–33. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  33. ^ Mann, Alex (20 November 2014). "Why are some Australians campaigning against Halal and what's its effect?". 7:30 Report. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  34. ^ Ma, Wenlei; AAP (12 November 2014). "Halal conspiracy theorists bullying Australian businesses". News.com.au. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  35. ^ Safi, Michael (11 February 2015). "Anti-halal campaigner sued over claims Islamic certification supports terrorism". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  36. ^ Reynolds, Emma (8 January 2017). "Mysterious anti-Islam society steps out of the shadows for its big moment". News Ltd. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  37. ^ "Kellogg's & Sanitarium Drop Halal Certification But Deny It Was From Customer Pressure - B&T". 18 July 2017.
  38. ^ "Third party certification of food". Australian Senate. 13 May 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  39. ^ Thomsen, Simon (13 May 2015). "The Australian senate is going to investigate halal certification, as well as GM and organic foods". Business Insider. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  40. ^ a b c Medhora, Shalailah (1 December 2015). "Overhaul 'lacklustre' halal certification to root out exploitation, report says". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  41. ^ a b Aston, Heath (2 December 2015). "'Nothing more than scammers': Senate committee calls for halal overhaul". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  42. ^ "No Halal link to terror: Senate committee". Sky News. 1 December 2015. Archived from the original on 1 December 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2015. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  43. ^ Ockenden, Will (24 September 2015). "No direct link between halal certification and Islamic terrorism, Senate inquiry told". ABC. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  44. ^ "Australian Senate Committee Inquiry Recommendations". APH. 1 December 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  45. ^ "Report: Third party certification of food, Chapter 2 - Overview". Australian Parliament House. 1 December 2015. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  46. ^ "Australia politician wins backing for clearer halal labelling on food". 27 June 2017.
  47. ^ corporateName=Commonwealth Parliament; address=Parliament House, Canberra. "Hansard Display".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  48. ^ "Govt flags changes to halal certification". 2 August 2017.
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