It goes beyond saying that anything coming from Geller’s keyboard is ridiculous. Here’s what I learned thus far regarding lamb.

a) The largest global consumers of lamb are Muslims. Thus it makes sense for lamb producers to market their products to Muslims.

b) Sheep are stunned before slaughter in New Zealand.

c) While 70 percent of New Zealand lamb is Halal, Australia and New Zealand accounted for 40 percent of US consumption. In 2009, 99 million pounds came from Australia and 39 million pounds came from New Zealand. That means New Zealand accounted for 16 percent and Australia accounted for 34 percent of US consumption.

d) Americans barely consume lamb when compared to beef or as in 2007 they consumed about 33 pounds of ground beef per capita compared to only 1 pound of lamb/mutton per capita.

Halal meat is an emerging and lucrative market for New Zealand. He were find some comments from the New Zealand government:

Carving out new rules for halal meat

The new rules we have developed, among other things, set out competencies required by anyone who performs halal slaughter or certifies halal meat. These competency standards have been developed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). A National Islamic Advisory Council will be established under the new regulations and NZFSA will be able to look to these experts for advice on halal issues as they arise in the future.

Under the regulations government will have oversight of Islamic organisations which provide halal food export certification. The certifiers will continue to be approved by the Islamic authority in the importing country. This will give our trading partners improved assurances that New Zealand meat products have been produced according to the halal standards.

Halal meat production in New Zealand complies fully with all New Zealand animal welfare requirements.

NZFSA will continue to monitor and audit compliance with the new rules in line with our goal of ensuring all New Zealand food exports are fit for purpose, wholesome and suitable to consumers wherever they are.