Halal Meat
Brunei Briefing On Halal Import Permit Application
By Brunei Bulletin
Aug 4, 2006, 16:33

Brunei Briefing On Halal Import Permit Application
By Azlan Othman

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Control Division of Halal Food said yesterday only the amount of meat needed will be imported, from countries where animals are free from dangerous and contagious diseases, taking into account the availability of local meat.

This was highlighted by the religious education officer, Hj Hamdani-Hj Othman, in a briefing on procedures for Halal Import Permit Application for 26 Philippine business and government officers.

The delegation is led by Ma Teresa D. Reginio, Director III of the Philippine Trade and Industry Department. Earlier in the day, the delegations toured the Golden Chicks slaughter house.

Present at the briefing at the Ministry of Religious Affairs were Hj Ishaq Hj Abdullah, Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Mr Virginia H. Benavidez, Philippine Ambassador to Brunei.

Hj Hamdani said applicants must have sufficient hygienic storage facilities and that importers and local suppliers must be Muslims.

It was also highlighted that for the inspecting committee to inspect the slaughtering centre abroad before being able to export to Brunei, all the expenses are to be paid for by the importer. This includes return tickets, transportation, accommodation and allowance for living expenses.

The inspecting committee will ensure the slaughterers are Muslims and are duly authorised by the law of that country to slaughter animals according to the Syara' laws.

There shall be at least two Muslim permanent workers in every slaughtering centre that shall be present at the dime of slaughtering of the animals and while packing, handling and transporting of the meat.

The animals must be alive in normal condition when slaughtered and that the respiratory tract and channel for taking in food and drink must be cut off according to Syara' laws.

All slaughtering devices must be in good quality and sharp and they must not be made from bones, fingernails, toenails or teeth. The phrase of "in the name of Allah" must be evoked during the slaughtering of the animal. The use of stunning is prohibited for the slaughtering of hens/ birds/ducks.

For countries which authorise the use of stunning, it must be noted that stunning will result in the animal becoming temporarily unconscious. The stunner is a type which can't penetrate or break the animal's head and that stunner must not cause permanent brain damage or give rise to death or physical disability to the animal.

The halal meat shall be kept separately from non-halal meat at all times, in every slaughtering centre, storage, packing, handling, transportation, importation and during sale.

It was also highlighted that before exporting the meat to Brunei, the applicants must fill in a Permit Form and pay a $50 fee to Brunei's Religious Council. Officers from the Halal Board will conduct inspections at every control post for any meat imported to the country.

The fee for obtaining the halal import permit ($50), licence ($30), halal certificate ($20), slaughtering certificate ($10) and $0.02 per halal label were also highlighted. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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