AN eight-week consultation is being launched to assess whether a quality assurance scheme for halal meat would add value to the sector and boost supply chain transparency.

AHDB (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board) Beef & Lamb has been working on the detail of the proposed scheme - which would have separate categories for stunned, non-stunned and post-cut-stunned slaughter for sheep - since its halal seminar in February.

Now it is publishing the proposals, which would see on-pack labelling signposting if it has come through an assured route to help consumers choose products on shelves, to see what industry thinks and assess whether there is support to push the scheme forward.

Awal Fuseini, Halal Sector Manager with AHDB Beef & Lamb said: "It is our belief an assurance scheme for the halal sheep-meat sector would add transparency to the supply chain and boost customer choice in the product they are buying, knowing which adhere to clear standards around safety, animal welfare and the Islamic guidelines on slaughter.

"It would help demonstrate high standards in the slaughter and further processing of halal sheep-meat. The draft proposals have three different schemes which would ultimately be labelled on the product to allow Muslim consumers to buy assured product which fits with their own belief with regard to halal slaughter.

"This should not though happen without us gauging opinion from the sector and we would urge all those with a vested interest to get involved in the consultation."

The consultation is open until August 30th at www.qsmbeefandlamb.co.uk/halal.

* Meanwhile, exports of cheese from Britain have increased in the first three months of the year with worldwide sales up 29 per cent to almost £143m.

Latest figures from AHDB show almost 40,000 tonnes of cheese were exported around the world in the first quarter of 2017 - a rise of 3 per cent.

The lion's share was destined for the EU where exports grew by 8 per cent - rising to 32,479 tonnes. One of the biggest growth markets was Asia and Oceania where exports rose by 36 per cent to 1,798 tonnes.

AHDB's Senior Exports Manager for Dairy Lucy Randolph said: "While exports to Europe are still incredibly strong, it is also very encouraging to see non-EU exports have grown since the start of the year. It is important with Brexit that we look further afield for opportunities for our exporters."

Market round-up

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 642 prime lambs in Newton Stewart yesterday to a top of £110 per head and 223.2p per kg to average 209.4p (-10.1p on the week).

There were also 137 cast sheep that met the dearest trade this season with heavy ewes selling to £115.50 for Texels and averaging £80.94, while light ewes peaked at £83.50 for Blackfaces and levelled at £59.87. ENDS