THE chairman of the West Midlands Minority Ethnic Business Forum has been given a leading role in establishing a European standard for halal compliant produce.

Mohammad Nazir has been appointed chairman of the European Halal Development Agency, which aims to agree a standard across the 27 countries of the European Union.

Mr Nazir, an international business consultant, is already co-chairman of the UK Halal Corporation.

“There is a huge opportunity because Europe has a large Muslim population and there is a very big market for halal compliant produce, especially meat products,” said Mr Nazir.

He added discussions were taking place with authorities in Malaysia, which is a recognised global centre for halal meat and home of the World Halal Forum.

“We have a great chance to establish the West Midlands as a European centre for halal meat, which would provide opportunities for farmers and meat processing businesses,” he explained.

“It also has to be remembered that halal is not just about meat but also a range of other food and non-food products, such as medicines, cosmetics and cleaning agents.”

It is hoped agreement on a standard can be reached in the next three of four months.

The West Midlands Minority Ethnic Business Forum provides strategic advice to the regional development agency, Advantage West Midlands and other partners on matters relating to minority ethnic entrepreneurship.