Will study doubts raised by states, says Venkaiah Naidu

New Delhi: Union information and broadcasting minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said that the Narendra Modi government is examining “issues” raised by states and some organisations on the recent ban imposed by it on sale and purchase of cattle at animal markets for slaughter.

The minister said the ban was notified in the backdrop of some observations made by the Supreme Court and a parliamentary committee on preventing cruelty against animals and breaking nexus in animal markets, including smuggling.

“Subsequently some issues were raised by some state governments and other trade organisations. These are being examined by the government,” Mr Naidu said.

It is understood that the environment ministry, which had notified the rules last week, received 13 representations opposing the move. The ministry had notified the stringent Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, banning the sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter.

The decision is expected to hit export and trade of meat and leather. The rules define cattle as a bovine animal including bulls, bullocks, cows, buffaloes, steers, heifers and calves and camels.

The new rules also prohibit establishment of an animal market in a place situated in 25km from any state border and in 50km from international border.