Panaji: The rule of the Centre banning the sale of cows and buffaloes for slaughter through animal markets has hurt millions of poor farmers and squeeze supplies to the country’s meat industry.
Quraishi Meat Traders Association (QMTA) from Goa has approached the high court demanding relief from the Centre’s notification amending norms of cow slaughter. The association has filed a written petition against the Union Ministry of Environment’s notification.
The petitioner pointed the high court judgment delivered last year which stated that the court has permitted slaughtering of animals at the Goa Meat Complex, Usgao, subject to strict compliance of laws.
It has also has mentioned that the prerogative to issue such guidelines lies with the state and not Centre. “This notification has changed the definition of the trade and traders, and this is adversely affecting our livelihood.”
Goa’s meat trade, which is highly dependent on cattle fairs in Karnataka’s border districts, has been severely hit by the central government notification banning the trade of cattle at animal markets for slaughter and meat.