Navigate the halal regulations of importing countries

Worldwide there are now over 2 billion Muslims, and halal meat consumption is on the rise as a result. If you are thinking of exporting meat for the halal market, take advantage of our guidance and expertise.

Below we give a few insights on what potential exporters of halal meat need to know.

Certification is key

The right certification is key to accessing halal markets around the globe. Halal meat importers in Europe and the Americas may require halal consignment certificates to demonstrate compliance with halal regulations.

Not all certifications are equal

There are approximately 20 halal certification bodies in the UK in 2024; however, the halal certificates issued by them are often not recognised by authorities in Asia or the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Exporters must ensure they use the services of a halal certification body that is accredited or recognised by authorities in the importing country.

We work with UK and international halal bodies to ensure a better understanding of the rules in each country. If you are considering exporting halal meat, about whether the UK has a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement with the importing country.

List of questions to ask a halal certification body

Ask a certification body the following:

• Does halal meat fall within their scope?
• Do they have official accreditation or recognition with authorities in the importing country you are interested in?
• Do they require annual audits or weekly supervision of slaughterhouses? This may impact the cost of the certification.
• Which slaughter methods are both acceptable to the certifier and comply with approved methods in the importing country you are interested in?

Rules on halal slaughter methods

In the UK

Halal slaughter in the UK needs to not only comply with relevant religious rules but must comply with domestic animal welfare regulation. Defra has published guidance on:

• Licensing, inspections and penalties
• Slaughterhouses
• Knacker's yards
• Domestic and small-scale slaughter

Read The Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015 (WATOK, 2015)

WATOK requires the stunning of all animals, except for those slaughtered for consumption by Jewish people (shechita) and Muslims (halal).

Both UK and worldwide

The following slaughter methods are approved for halal slaughter in the UK and are generally accepted by Muslims across the globe:

• Pre-slaughter stunning with a non-lethal method of stunning, such as head-only electrical stunning
• Post-neck cut stunning with a non-lethal method of stunning
• Slaughter without stunning

Opportunities in the Middle East

We regularly conduct market research in the Middle East to identify key markets and importers. 

If you are considering exporting to the Middle East, contact AHDB for a country market research report. Alternatively, speak to one of our international trade development experts regarding opportunities in the Middle East.

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