There is a theory that an animal that is more relaxed at point of death has more tender meat.

I started using a halal butcher when, as we often hold parties, BBQs etc, and many of our friends are Muslim, it became a good idea even when it is just my wife and I. I now use a halal butcher in the nearest large town if I happen to go there for any other reason. If it just normal meat purchases, I use a butcher in the nearby village. After all, supporting local trades is something we try to make a point of.

I must admit, halal meat, especially lamb, seems in many cases to need less cooking down if I make a curry, stew etc. This could lead to the mental leap that the animal was less tense at time of death, but having been taught the value of thorough testing, I don't have enough data to say this is exactly the case.

Interesting to read that the RSPCA reckon all meat is stunned before slitting. Interesting... A good friend of mine used to go to Nandos when in a city, as some (their website says which) of their places use only halal meat. (I have been with him to Liverpool Lime St, and that is, for instance.) He now has a worry as to whether he can go any more. Stunning and then slitting is not perceived by many as being true halal and he is true to his faith so is in a bit of a quandary. of course, me being irreligious, I can't understand and have problems even empathising, but I do see his problem.

It also shows that the stunning before slitting is only in the larger factory environment meat preparation places. The smaller Asian community butchers will not be stunning, as they feel it lowers the quality of the meat.

I am perhaps purposely missing the point of the thread. I am of the opinion that religion in general has a lot to answer for and in an ideal world, no religion would have influence over reality. However, to stop halal is a pipe dream. it just ain't going to happen. There are more mosque going Muslims than there are church going Christians in this country, (source - MORI) and stopping Halal stands about as much chance as swapping Xmas for Ramadan as the national main holiday.

Live and let live, and stop trying to alienate sections of the community. I don't have a problem with halal. Many Muslims I know, work with and count as friends have no problem with my liking for beer.