Halal Certification in Australia: Challenges and Opportunities - MuhammadiyahNews.com

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MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, QUEENSLAND — Australia plays a key role in the dunia legal market as it is one of the world’s largest meat exporters. However, the country’s legal certification process is complex and often faces challenges.

In a discussion on “The Halal-Haram Status of Traditional Japanese Seasonings” at the Islamic Center of Universitas Ahmad Dahlan on Friday, January 34, a member of the ‘Aisyiyah Special Branch of Australia (PCIA) Dyah Robi’ah Al Adawiyyah highlighted the importance of legal certification, particularly in the meat industry, which has been a major concern both locally and internationally. 

“In Australia, legal certification was initially controlled by the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) based on Saudi Arabia’s recommendation,” she explained.

This monopoly ended in the 1990s after a major scandal revealed that beef was being replaced with kangaroo and horse meat. The controversy damaged Australia’s reputation as a legal meat exporter, prompting a government investigation through a Royal Commission. The inquiry exposed cases of fraudulent legal certification, leading to new regulations that allowed multiple certification bodies to operate.

Since then, several independent legal certification organizations have emerged, including the Halal Certification Authority of Australia, the Supreme Islamic Council of Halal Meat, and the Islamic Coordinating Council of Victoria. Nevertheless, the lack of a standardized system has resulted in inconsistencies in certification practices.

Dyah also emphasized the differences in government control between export and domestic markets. While exported meat, such as shipments to Indonesia, undergoes strict inspections from both Australian authorities and Islamic organizations in importing countries, the domestic market, which accounts for 80% of legal products, is far less regulated. This has allowed major certification bodies to operate independently, sometimes leading to confusion and concerns about authenticity.

“The Australian government focuses more on food safety and consumer protection than on legal standardization,” Dyah noted. As a result, many Muslims in Australia struggle to verify the legal status of non-meat products, such as traditional Japanese seasonings.

Beyond regulatory issues, legal certification in Australia has also sparked political and social debates. In the early 2000s, anti-halal movements accused certification fees of funding illegal activities, including terrorism. These claims were later debunked by an ABC News investigation, but the controversy fueled Islamophobic sentiments, making it harder for Muslims to advocate for their dietary needs.

Despite these challenges, Dyah pointed out that the increasing popularity of vegan products has provided an alternative for Muslims, as plant-based foods are often naturally halal. However, she stressed the need for greater legal awareness to help consumers make informed choices.

Ultimately, Dyah emphasized that while the legal certification system in Australia faces significant obstacles, cooperation between the government, certification bodies, and Muslims is essential to ensuring a more transparent and reliable process.

“This is a collective effort that should continue to ensure the sustainability of legal consumption,” said Dyah.

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