Meat Importation: Algeria affirms its sovereignty in Halal certification

In an act affirming its sovereignty and commitment to Islamic principles, Algeria made a significant decision in June 2023 regarding the certification of imported Halal products. The country entrusted this responsibility exclusively to the Grand Mosque of Paris (GMP), an institution recognized for its expertise in Islamic standards.

This presidential decision highlights the importance Algeria places on strictly adhering to religious precepts in its international trade. It aims to ensure that all Halal products entering Algerian territory meet the highest standards of Islamic compliance.

In response to criticisms from the European Union, notably expressed by Valdis Dombrovskis, the European Commissioner for Trade, the GMP reacted firmly. Its rector, Chems-eddine Hafiz, emphasized that this exclusive mandate stems from a « sovereign decision of the President of the Algerian Republic. » He noted that this new arrangement allows for better structuring and control of Halal certification for imported products, addressing a critical need for reliability and rigor.

Algeria is demonstrating its desire to balance economic openness with respect for its religious and cultural principles. This move is not intended to hinder trade but to ensure that imported products adhere to Halal standards, a fundamental aspect for Algeria’s predominantly Muslim population.

Despite the tensions, the GMP expressed its desire to continue a constructive dialogue with the European Commission. Such openness could help find a balance between Algeria’s religious requirements and the EU’s commercial concerns.

This decision illustrates Algeria’s determination to exercise its sovereignty in areas essential to its identity and population. It highlights the complexity of international trade relations, where economic considerations must be harmonized with cultural and religious values. Algeria thus asserts its right to define its own standards and to choose the institutions it deems most capable of enforcing them, within the framework of its national sovereignty and international obligations.