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CHAPLAINCY
AGM 2009 Report
Main Achievements
• A Draft Halal Code of Practice has undergone a process of wide consultation and is posted on the MCB website.
• Engagement at EU / international level - Dialrel is a project of EU scientists/veterinarians, funded by the EU's DG SANCO, to study aspects of religious slaughter. MCB is represented on its Advisory Board. The Chair of this Committee represented the MCB. During the past four months MCB have been actively involved in international meetings, workshops etc.
Towards developing Halal Standards:
• Attended World Halal Forum Europe (Nov 2009) (right)
• Input and advice to development of IHI Alliance Standards
• Established contact with British Standards Institute (BSI) and agreed to set up a national working group to develop 'Quality Standards for Halal Foods'.
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Undeclared Pork and Beef Proteins in 'halal' chicken - MCB has;
• Organised a national advisory meeting in November 2009. The meeting was attended by food scientists, experts in food authentication, Consumer Association (Which magazine), representative from EHRC and by representatives of the Hindu Forum of Britain (HFB).
• MCB & HFB have written Letters to EU Director General Agri and to the Chair of FSA.
• MCB & HFB also wrote to the leaders of the three political parties during the general election campaign to lobby for legislation to outlaw the practice of adding water to chicken – only the then Labour Party leader confirmed his intention to do this – the others have not responded. We are resolved to continue lobbying.
• Letters written to KFC consumer services to establish the authenticity of halal in its 'halal' branches. The response has not been satisfactory. Representations are being made to the enforcement authorities to express disquiet and request investigation. The Lancashire Council of Mosques have issued a statement to indicate that KFC do not meet LCM halal criteria. Further discussions are planned.
• MCB was invited to join the newly formed Halal Working Group of EBLEX, the meat industry levy Board.
• MCB is represented on the Advisory Stakeholder Committee of the Department of Health. The MCB is urging the Department of Health to offer finger-prick blood screening for Hepatitis C through mosques and other places of worship. A holistic approach to addressing various health issues (diabetes, heart disease, diet and healthy living etc) that disproportionately affect minority communities is warranted. Use of places of worship has been shown to be an efficient and cost-effective means of addressing health inequalities.
• MCB contributed to discussion about organ transplant and organ donation organised at the House of Commons, by Blood and Organ Transplant UK. MCB supported the campaign, letters were sent to enlist help from the community. MCB facilitated leaflet distribution among its affiliates and Mosques. The MCB were also invited to discuss organ transplantation among Faith communities at the Annual Conference of the British Transplant Society in London.
• Responded to queries relating to aspects of health, particularly – organ donation, healthcare-associated infection (hand hygiene, alcohol gel, 'bare below the elbow policy).
• Mental Health awareness in Mosques' Project in Kensington & Chelsea. A leaflet covering information on important areas of mental health care relevant to Muslims has been devised and has been translated in to Arabic. The project is being supported by the Royal college of Psychiatrists; the leaflets will bear the College and MCB logos.
• MCB was represented on the advisory panel for the GMC in the draft of the guidelines on End of Life Care which was released on 20th May, 2010.
• A workshop and series of discussions on the subject of the role of the community in preventing health-care associated infections (HCAI) was organised. A report is to be published.
• Worked with tour operators to inform the community about the changing Hajj immunisation requirements in the wake of Swine Flu, produce 'Standards and good practice guidelines' for Hajj and Umrah service providers for delivering hajj-related healthcare and offered pre-travel medical advice at seminars.
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