Excerpt:
After a judicial review was launched on behalf of over 20 abattoir operators, Defra has revoked the implementation of an EU regulation which would require increased currents for stunning poultry, the day before it was due to come into force.
The decision to implement the regulation was made on Friday (16 May), but in a dramatic U-turn, this was revoked today (19 June), meaning that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) will not have the power to enforce any of the provisions.
Both the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS), who launched the legal action, and the Halal Authority Board (HAB) have been fighting against the regulation as the increase in stun current would not only be costly to suppliers, but has the potential to kill birds, rendering them unacceptable for halal consumption.