AFTER concerns about meals provision at Cowbridge Comprehensive School made national news headlines, Vale of Glamorgan Council's leader has responded.

The council was quizzed by a leading Conservative politician after it was announced that it was offering "Halal only" lunches.

Welsh Tory leader Andrew Davies approached the council after a constituent flagged up Cowbridge Comprehensive only provided specific meat options.

Mr Davies said: "My constituent's daughter attends Cowbridge Comprehensive School, and claims she was told that all meat options served in school meals are Halal meat.

"She requested a non-Halal meat meal for her daughter, but was told this was not available.

"I would be grateful if you would confirm if this is the case, and if so, whether it is a country-wide policy.

"Non-Halal meat options should be available in all school meals, and it is essential action is taken to ensure this is provided."

Critics of the preparation of Halal meat include the RSPCA, which has claimed the process causes unnecessary suffering, pain and distress compared to other processes, including stunning.

Cllr Lis Burnett, Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, has issued the following statement, saying: "Cowbridge Comprehensive does not use the Council's independent catering company for school meals, instead opting to source its own suppliers, however it offers both halal and non halal meat options.

"Big Fresh Catering Company is wholly owned by the Council and supplies most schools within the County, also operating commercially.

"Adopting an inclusive approach, it offers both halal and non-halal meat, which is stored in separate fridges and handled appropriately. A wide variety of other dietary requirements are also catered for to meet the demands of pupils, staff and customers."

The 2021 Census also revealed 0.9 per cent of the Vale of Glamorgan identifies as Muslim, with Cowbridge's Muslim population dropping to 0.2 per cent.

The proportion of people who identify as Muslim across Wales is slightly higher at 2.2 per cent.

More than half of Cowbridge, 56.2 per cent, identifies as Christian and a further 37.2 per cent practices no religion whatsoever.