After Nationwide Outcry, Centre Decides To Ease Cattle Trade Rules, Not To Use Term 'Slaughter'

The Centre has decided to remove any reference to the term “slaughter” in its new version of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Market) Rules, 2017.

On May 23, 2017, the Centre had notified a ban on sale of cattle for slaughter in animal markets. However, later it was reported that the government would withdraw the controversial plan that triggered a nationwide outcry. 

The move had also deprived farmers of any resale value for their cattle and saw a spike in cow vigilantism. According to the new version, “no unfit animal or young animal shall be sold in an animal market”, reported The Indian Express.

The version also states that “no person shall permit an animal to be offered or displayed for sale in an animal market if it is likely to give birth while it is there or during its transportation to or from such animal market”.

In its notification last May, the environment ministry had restricted the sale of cattle and stated that “no person shall bring a cattle to an animal market unless upon arrival he has furnished a written declaration signed by the owner of the cattle or his duly authorised agent… stating that the cattle has not been brought to market for sale for slaughter”.

Further, it had stated that the “purchaser of the cattle shall… not sell the animal for purpose of slaughter”, the newspaper report added.

In July, the Supreme Court had suspended the nationwide law banning sale of cattle, including buffaloes and camels, for slaughter. It followed the stay issued by Madurai bench of the Tamil Nadu high court.

A bench comprising then Chief Justice JS Khehar and Justice DY Chandrachud took note of the statement of the Central government that it was reconsidering the notification by taking into account various objections and suggestions of stakeholders and would come up with an amended notification.

Last year, reports suggested that BJP-led NDA government might rethink the rule banning cattle trade for slaughter after the issue snowballed into a national controversy. In September, environment minister Harsh Vardhan indicated that the Centre might lift the ban.

The Centre’s move impacted the livelihoods of those linked to dairy farming, leather production and beef export, it had also led to an increase in number of cast-off cattle.