I AM writing with reference to a reader’s letter regarding halal meat. The reader claimed that the halal meat process was, and I quote, “shameful, barbaric and unnecessary”.

In response, I would like to defend both the kosher and halal meat process as being significantly more humane than the commonplace abattoir method.

To begin with, kosher and halal animals must be treated with more respect than battery/caged animals, which I presume your reader has no qualms about eating.They live happy, healthy and free lives.

Secondly, to have an animal’s “throat cut” is not a barbaric method. In fact, the animals are removed from the presence of other animals and the two carotids, the two jugulars, the windpipe and the gullet are cut — rendering the animal brain dead — thus removing any notion of pain or barbarism.

The spinal chord is not cut so that the heart may continue to beat, thus allowing all blood to be drained.

The scientific reasoning behind this, is to remove all the blood and the toxins it carries with it from the meat which will be used for consumption. This in fact is a very hygienic method.

The commonplace abbatoir method is to stun the animal, by often soaking it in water and then applying a high voltage to it — is this not more distressing to the animal?

The animal is then either decapitated or has its belly cut open. Please explain how this is any less barbaric? Halal meat is not prepared in such a way just to “enhance the taste” — it is a scientific methodology designed to reduce the risk of catching any toxins or diseases from the animals, be it through their blood or skin. Thus, utmost care is taken to ensure all animals are healthy, the hides are clean and all blood is drained out.

If a Subway outlet decides to serve halal or kosher meat in any one of its outlets, it cannot serve pork as this meat is not halal or kosher.

I’m sure one Subway outlet, out of the many sandwich shops in Bolton, is not going to prevent the reader from getting a decent bacon sandwich!

Miss Khan Bolton