Govt Bans Cattle Slaughter Across Country; Exports To Hamper
The recent move by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, government of India, to ban nationwide sales of cattle for slaughter, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, is going to have a significant impact on the exports.
According to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), India's exports of animal products was Rs 29,440 crore in 2016-17, the major products are Buffalo Meat (Rs 26,303 crore), Dairy Products (Rs 1712 crore), Sheep/ Goat Meat (Rs 876 crore), Poultry Products (Rs 530 crore), Animal Casing (Rs 14 crore), and Processed Meat (Rs 5 crore).
The demand for Indian buffalo meat in international market has sparked a sudden increase in the meat exports. The main markets for Indian buffalo meat and other animal products are Vietnam Social Republic, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt Arab Republic and UAE.
This announcement by government is set to anger many, including minorities and meat traders. India being the largest exporter of beef in the world.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is himself understandably against the new rule, and has vowed to go to the court to contest the decision, arguing that citizens should have the right to decide what they will and will not eat.
In a scathing indictment, he opined that consumption of beef should not be based on religion. He also suggested that the centre should focus more on preventing attacks on those who transport cattle rather than banning the slaughter of cattle.
The move would mean that the bovine animals will only be sold to agriculturalists, who will have to provide authentic documents in order to buy them. These agriculturalists also have to submit a written declaration to the Animal Market Committee that they will not resell the animals for the purpose of slaughter.
However, a study in the United States has suggested that cutting down on beef and replacing it with beans would be hugely beneficial for the environment, as it would reduce carbon footprint.
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