W.IAW.2402 - Halal Support Project 2024

Summary

The project was developed to answer the industry challenges regarding halal certification deadline of 17 October 2024. ESCAS facilities such as abattoirs are the main focus of the project, aiming to have their staff/personnel to be trained as halal slaughtermen and supervisors, which are the mandatory requirement of getting the halal certificate.

The project delivered two focus group discussions on strategy to accelerate halal certification, two webinars to share information about the project and lessons learnt, 40 certified halal slaughtermen and 40 certified halal supervisors, and technical assistance for nine abattoirs to support them to obtain their halal certificate.

Objectives

• This project will provide competency-based training for Indonesia’s abattoir operators in stunning, halal slaughter and animal welfare, resulting in an increased number of abattoir operators with appropriate skills and knowledge of abattoir operations. Expected outcomes include increased carcase and beef product quality, compliance with ESCAS standards and with Indonesia’s Ruminant Slaughter Standards.
• The project will help mitigate trade risks in Indonesia’s ESCAS approved abattoirs and train up to 30 participants/year in stunning and 40 participants/year in halal slaughter, supporting both the technical and practical needs of Indonesia’s abattoir workers. Competent and certified personnel also support and enable facilities to obtain halal certification from Indonesia’s halal authority (MUI).

Key findings

Challenges found during the project involved limited or lack of expertise in human resources in small-medium abattoirs, lack of managerial skills by the abattoirs, limited recording/management of documentations, expensive cost for training and halal audit, and the limited information from the halal authority on the halal system/process itself.

Through this project, challenges were dealt with and the lessons learnt were shared with the public around the best strategy to obtain halal certification.

As per July 2024, there are less than 100 abattoirs that are halal certified, from the total of 320 ESCAS approved facilities. Around 45% of that is government owned.

Benefits to industry

Acceleration in more abattoirs obtaining their halal certificates will ensure that lot feeders have channels to sell their cattle too. This will ensure trade sustainability for exporters-producers.

MLA action

To continue the project in FY25.

Future research

To continue providing more training for halal slaughtermen and supervisors through a new project in FY25