My first introduction to Halal was in 1991 whilst holidaying in Tunisia. There was one main road in Tunisia running north to south eventually to Libiya. It was not unusual to see a beast, like a cow, hung up by its hind legs from a tree. Along the journey, 'north to south', the said beasts hanging from trees would be at various stages of dissmemberment, probably exactly the same as what goes on in any slaughter house ? Except it was, and probably still is, done at the side of the road. Never saw anybody stunning the said beast. It probably needed knocking out, like its life hammered out of it first before the rope went around its' legs and it was hoisted up.
So when the word 'Halal' is mentioned, this is the instant though anchored into my mind.
During my day job I look after a fleet of lorries. The lorry park is next door to another compound which slaughters and transports chicken. Owned and run by asians so will be I suppose halal ? Nowt wrong there, no issues, except this ;-
We are told that halal is a religious practice . So is there some religious bloke reading extracts from a quoran on every throat that is slit ? Must be a busy chap.
Support your local butcher. I do, use a couple of these chaps. Many around here were forced to close because their buildings were sub-standard, did not have the correct brass knobs on the doors. It would have meant buying EEC approved brass knobs which would have meant a bank loan and the business would not stand it. I suppose our farm bottled milk went the same way, but I still buy it from the milk man that gets it from the farm. Not milk with galactic motorway miles.