Amid the continuing debate and rising vigilantism over cow protection, the Narendra Modi-led BJP government has effectively banned cow slaughter across the country.

BCCL

The Environment Ministry through a notification titled Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 has banned the sale of cows for slaughter purpose.

BCCL

As per the notification, only those who furnish a written declaration that the cattle will not be sold for the purpose of slaughter will be allowed to sell them. Upon the sale of cattle, the animal market committee will take an “undertaking” that the animals are for agricultural purposes and not for slaughter.

Even the buyer will not be allowed to sell the animal for the purpose of slaughter nor “sacrifice the animal for any religious purpose”.

BCCL

The new rules are applicable for all animals defines “cattle” as bovine animals, including bulls, cows, buffaloes, steers, heifers and calves and camels. The government notification prohibiting cattle slaughter across India has come even after the Supreme Court had made it clear that is a state subject.

BCCL

In January while hearing a PIL to ban nationwide cow slaughter the SC had said that it was a “state subject” and individual states can make laws accordingly.

The move is expected to take a toll on the meat trade in India which is estimated to have annual business of around Rs one lakh crore.

Uttar Pradesh is the market leader followed by Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Telangana.

BCCL

Another casualty of the ban will be the leather industry, which depends on hides from slaughtered cattle.

BCCL

According to industry data leather and leather goods exports from India stood at US$ 5.92 billion in FY 2015-16.