NEW DELHI: While ban on sale of cattle for slaughter in animal markets being criticized by various groups, the Centre Saturday said that animal for slaughter will have to be bought from the farmers at the farms and the livestock markets are intended to become hubs for trade for animal for agriculture through this process.
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) said that it has received some representations regarding certain provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Market) Rules, 2017.
“The notified rules will remove the scope of illegal sale and smuggling of the cattle which is a major concern. The specific provisions apply only to animals which are bought and sold in the notified live stock markets and animals that are seized as case properties. These rules do not cover other areas,” said a statement issued by the ministry.
The ministry further said that the prime focus of the regulation is to protect the animals from cruelty and not to regulate the existing trade in cattle for slaughter houses.
“It is envisaged that welfare of cattle dealt in the market will be ensured and that only healthy animals are traded for agriculture purposes for the benefits of the farmers,” it said.
To facilitate this, two Committees have been constituted, namely the District Animal Market Monitoring Committee for registration of animal market and Animal Market Committee at the local authority level for management of the markets.
India being world’s largest beef exporter, the new regulations are expected to have an adverse impact on the meat industry. Livestock market rules will regulate all of India’s live animal markets. Some of the largest cattle markets are hosted by Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh every year.