Crackdown on slaughter houses: What is it down to?
Since Yogi Adityanath took over as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, the state government has cracked down on slaughterhouses. The crackdown threatens to take a toll on the economy of the state which is the largest meat producer in the country. It is noteworthy that many other industries are also dependent on slaughterhouses. For a state that has an endemic unemployment problem, the decision may add to economic and social stress.
What is the issue?
Scores of slaughterhouses—legal and illegal— have been closed down in Uttar Pradesh leading to a massive loss of employment and revenue to the industry.
How many livelihoods will be affected?
Close to 25 lakh people are engaged directly or indirectly in the Rs15,000 crore meat and related industries in UP. The state already has a very high level of unemployment especially among young people. Union Labour Ministry data for 2015-16 show that 58 people per 1,000 are unemployed in UP. That’s way high than the national average of 37 people per 1000. Among the young people of UP, the unemployment rate is even worse: 148 per 1000.
Which industries will be affected most?
The three industries that will take a big hit due to the closure of slaughter-houses are meat export, meat packaging and leather.
What do the losses look like?
During the last two months, meat exporters, who cater to over 50 nations, have suffered losses to the tune of Rs 4,000 crore due to cancellation of export consignment orders.
How many slaughterhouses have been closed so far?
There are around 145 slaughter-houses in the state out of which over 100 have been closed down. As far as mechanized slaughterhouses are concerned, four have been shut so far.
Where does UP stand in terms of meat production?
The Agriculture Statistics Report 2015 indicates that Uttar Pradesh is the largest meat producing state in the country—contributing 21 per cent of the meat produced in the country. In 2014-15, the state produced close to 14 lakh tonnes of meat which is more than double that of West Bengal, the second ranking state in terms of meat production. The state also accounts for 43 per cent of India’s buffalo meat exports.
FAQs
When did it begin?
In May 2015, the National Green Tribunal banned all illegal slaughterhouses in Uttar Pradesh while directing the state Pollution Control Board and other authorities to ensure meat shops are regulated. It stated that slaughterhouses operating without the necessary permission from the local authorities especially the Pollution Control Board or operating without an environmental clearance from the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority will not be allowed to operate.
How did the meat sellers react to the crackdown?
Meat sellers in Uttar Pradesh have gone on an indefinite strike after the state-wide crackdown on slaughterhouses
What is the latest development in UP?
A meat traders’ delegation has met the UP chief minister. The CM has reportedly indicated action will not be taken against legal slaughter houses and under any such circumstances, the officials will be punished.
Which other states are following UP?
Jharkhand has followed suit by giving a notice of 72 hours for the closure of illegal slaughterhouses. Reports also indicate Uttarakhand, Rajasthan , Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh have also started crackdowns on illegal slaughterhouses.
Why not in the North-east too?
The BJP says there would be no ban on beef in the three northeast states—Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram—which are going to the polls next year -- if the BJP comes to power, the party stated.
Countries with highest rates of vegetarianism
| Rank | Country | Prevalence |
| 1 | India | 38% |
| 2 | Israel | 13% |
| 3 | Taiwan | 12% |
| 4 | Italy | 10% |
| 5 | Austria | 9% |
| 6 | Germany | 9% |
| 7 | United Kingdom | 9% |
| 8 | Brazil | 8% |
| 9 | Ireland | 6% |
| 10 | Australia | 5% |
Source: http://www.worldatlas.com
States/UTs which have some regulations regarding cattle slaughter/sale/transport or possession of meat
1. Andhra Pradesh
2. Bihar
3. Daman and Diu
4. Delhi
5. Gujarat
6. Haryana
7. Himachal Pradesh
8. Jammu and Kashmir
9. Karnataka
10. Madhya Pradesh
11. Maharashtra
12. Puducherry
13. Punjab
14. Rajasthan
15. Uttar Pradesh
16. Odisha
17. Jharkhand
18. Chattisgarh
19. Telangana
20. Chandigarh
Requirements for the application for grant of registration certificate to abattoirs
-Layout of the premises
-Names and addresses of owners/partners/directors/trustees along with documentary evidence.
-No-objection/clearance certificate from the Pollution Control Board of the State in which the plant is situated.
-Permission from the local/municipal/competent body to establish and run the abattoir/processing unit for meat and meat products.
-Copy of the lease agreement in case the processing unit is being run on lease basis.
-Confidential reports issued by financial institutions/banks mentioning the financial status of the manufacture /exporters
-Copies of Bio-data of the veterinarians supported by registration certificate with Veterinary Council of India (VCI ) and appointment letters of the veterinarians and lab. technologists along with the dates of their joining the organization.
-Copy of HACCP certificate / applicable quality safety system certificate.
-Copy of testing report of water used in processing & ETP from outside NABL accredited Lab
Source: www.apeda.gov.in
Top beef exporting countries in the world, 2016
| Rank | Country | Beef exports (tons) | Market share (%) |
| 1 | Brazil | 18,50,000 | 19.60 |
| 2 | India | 18,50,000 | 19.60 |
| 3 | Australia | 13,85,000 | 14.67 |
| 4 | United States | 11,20,000 | 11.87 |
| 5 | New Zealand | 5,80,000 | 6.14 |
| 6 | Canada | 4,30,000 | 4.56 |
| 7 | Paraguay | 3,90,000 | 4.13 |
| 8 | Uruguay | 3,85,000 | 4.08 |
| 9 | European Union | 3,30,000 | 3.50 |
| 10 | Mexico | 2,55,000 | 2.70 |
Source: FAS/USDA
The conditions of Indian slaughterhouses
-Lack basic facilities like electricity, water, drainage etc.
-Slaughtering on open grounds
-Lack of hygiene
-Contamination of animal faeces
What international animal rights organisations are saying about the functioning of slaughterhouses?
1. Forced fasting
They stop feeding animals 48 hours before being sent to slaughter so there are no traces in their digestive system that impede the processing of the meat.
2. Inhumane transportation
Animals are sent to slaughter crammed into trucks that can travel long distances while banned from food and water. For some animals, this will be the first and the last time they see the sunshine, because they lived their entire lives inside artificially illuminated factory farms. For birds like chickens and hens, the journey to the slaughterhouse is usually done at night, because these animals develop less activity when there’s no light.
3. Waiting for the end
Animals have to wait their turn at the slaughterhouse. The wait can last one or two days long. Some animals, such as pigs and cows, witness how their peers are sent to death, and suffer terribly knowing that they will be next.
4. Electrocution
Before dying, different types of mechanisms are used to knock out animals before being slaughtered. Pigs are left unconscious; they are electrocuted with an apparatus applied to their temples. Hens and chickens are forced to pass upside down by electrified water. And cows have their skulls drilled with a special gun, which introduces a retractable bullet into their brains.
5. Cruel death
Decapitation occurs when the animals are hung upside down. Hanging upside down allows them to bleed out quicker, meaning that it is more commercially beneficial for subsequent processing of the meat.
Source: www.animalequality.net