Demand To Reconsider Meat Export Policy

5-Jul-2013

NAGPUR: In view of large-scale slaughtering of cattle, the United Nations affiliated International Organisation for Animal Protection (OIPA) in India has demanded from the government to reconsider meat export policy.



In a petition on meat export policy of India, Naresh Kadyan of OIPA said beef exports have gone up 44% in four years. According to data compiled by the animal husbandry departments of all states, meat from registered slaughterhouses increased from 5.57 lakh tonnes in 2008 to 8.05 lakh tonnes in 2011. Export earnings from bovine (beef & cattle) meat is expected to touch Rs 18,000 crore in 2012-2013.



Quoting US department of agriculture, Kadyan said India became the largest beef exporter edging out Australia and New Zealand in May 2012. Uttar Pradesh is the top buffalo meat-producing state with 3 lakh tonnes in 2011. At least 70% of the buffalo meat is exported.



Further, the way animals are transported and slaughtered is cruel and far from international standards. "There is rampant abuse of animals in transport and slaughter for meat whether for domestic consumption or export," said Sukanya Kadyan, honorary animal welfare officer to Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI).



Slaughtering the animal is against the soul of Article 51 A (g) of Indian Constitution, hence meat export for personnel gain and profit is illegal, she added.



Bovine meat from India is popular in South-East Asian and Gulf countries. The increase is attributed to the Centre's 'Pink Revolution' to promote meat production and export with modernized abattoirs and storage facilities.



The food processing ministry had announced Rs 15 crore subsidies to modernize abattoirs. There are 38 integrated abattoirs in the country which slaughter for export. Agricultural and Processed Food Exports Development Authority (Apeda) inspects them and renews licenses.



However, the government's stringent rules on quality of meat have failed to extend to prevention of cruelty to animals. "Animals are overloaded in vehicles and transported without food and water," said Kadyan.



"None of the meat exporters pay attention to the condition of animals," he said. Most police officers let vehicles through without fining them for overloading as per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

Source:-timesofindia.indiatimes.com