Here is a Muslim journalist who lifts the veil to expose the hypocrisy of Halal certification,

"To put Halal labels on water bottles, cereal packets vegetable oil, sugar, flour, tooth paste etc. and for a person or church to dare certify them and declare oneself as God’s agent, is at least ‘playing minor God’.

This action produces confusion, disharmony and division in the community of Muslims. Any action that causes difficulties and strife in the community is akin to shirk, (30-31,32)—sinful!

Who then has nominated them as the certifying authority? Certainly not the Quran!

The general non-Muslim community is entitled to protest at the additional invisible tax levied on them as customers, in terms of increased prices which it has to pay as a result of the increased cost that the manufacturing businesses have to fork out to the certifying bodies. They then pass on the additional cost to the customer!

As a result one has to sympathize with the “Boycott Halal” movement. Why should the non-Muslims who had never been burdened with this additional tax on their consumables before now have to pay for other peoples’ religious requirement?"
http://newageislam.com.sultan09.arvixevps.com/the-murky-waters-of-halal-industry-and-its-labelling-income/islamic-society/d/100165

Is Mise,
<<Yes Aidan we should as it might lead owners of early Rolls and all Model 'T's into wasteful spending for no benefit at all.>>
But who are we to stop their wasteful spending for no benefit at all? They may claim it reduces engine wear. Others may say the evidence shows it doesn't, but the decision should be up to the owners as they're the ones who foot the bill for engine damage.

We have a right to ensure the octane rating of the fuel is not boosted by adding harmful substances such as tetraethyl lead. But what car clubs endorse what fuel (and whether they charge for it) is none of our business.

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Bazz, there's absolutely no evidence of extortion. What you interpret as a threat of losing the market (which the certification organisation would not have the power to carry out) is more likely to be a warning about losing market share to competitors. So they make a self funding commercial decision to make their product more attractive to overseas buyers, and people like you try to punish them for it!

Well Aiden, it was not me that suggested they would lose the market,
it was Sanitarium that made the suggestion.

If what you say is correct, then why pay the fee and then not put
the symbol on the package ?
It all looks pretty suss to me.

Bazz,
<<Well Aiden, it was not me that suggested they would lose the market,
it was Sanitarium that made the suggestion.>>
True, but it was you who interpreted "lose the market" as "lose access to the market" rather than "lose its position in the market".

<<If what you say is correct, then why pay the fee and then not put
the symbol on the package ?>>
Because displaying the symbol on domestic packaging would lose them more customers than it gains them, of course.

Dear Onthebeach,

<<The general non-Muslim community is entitled to protest at the additional invisible tax levied on them as customers, in terms of increased prices which it has to pay as a result of the increased cost that the manufacturing businesses have to fork out to the certifying bodies. They then pass on the additional cost to the customer!>>

But that's just a drop in the ocean compared to what corporations waste on general advertising. I think we should boycott all those who advertise their products, then pass on the additional cost to the customer!

Yuyutsu, First give us a full list of companies that do not spend any money advertising no even in the phone book.

Advertising companies are not a religious organisation demanding fees for a product. They are a service company employed by the producer to inform the public. One overlords the company "carry our religious logo or loose customers" the other is employed to serve the company with no threat to the company of loss of sales by people deliberately avoiding the product.