Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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640. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans with regard to the provision of Halal meat. [17972/20]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to make the Deputy aware that Article 4(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing provides for a derogation, in the case of slaughter prescribed by religious rites, from the usual requirement for animals to be stunned before slaughter. Each Member State of the European Union exercises its discretion as to whether or not to avail of the derogation.

In Ireland, Statutory Instrument No. 292 of 2013 gives effect to the Regulation, and allows for a derogation from stunning prior to slaughter in the case of slaughter prescribed by religious rites. In order to avail of this derogation, Food Business Operators are required to obtain the approval of my Department, including information of their need to avail of the derogation.