Every year, hundreds of children die in France of bacterial infections caused by contaminated meat (poisoning from minced or ground meat). The question arises as to what extent the increase in E. coli contamination of minced or ground meat is linked with increasing consumption of halal or kosher meat (the ritual slaughtering methods for which pose health risks).

In its answer to Question E‑000029/2012 on a danger to health posed by halal meat, the Commission said that a study should be carried out into the possibility of informing consumers about the stunning of animals as part of a future Union strategy for animal protection and welfare. The Commission is planning such a study for 2013.

1. Has an increase in child deaths because of bacterial infections caused by contaminated meat also been recorded in other EU Member States in recent years?

2. Are such cases compared at all at EU level?

3. If not, is such a comparison planned for the future?

4. Will the above study also examine to what extent an increase in E. coli contamination of minced or ground meat is linked with the increasing consumption of halal or kosher meat?