Rules modified to end cruelty, not regulate cattle slaughter: Government

New Delhi, May 27: The Union Environment Ministry on Saturday clarified that rules were modified to prevent cruelty to animals in cattle markets and not to regulate cattle traded for slaughterhouses.

"The prime focus of the regulation is to protect the animals from cruelty and not to regulate the existing trade in cattle for slaughterhouses," it added.

The Ministry said the livestock markets are intended to become hubs for animal trade for agriculture, while animals for slaughter will have to be bought from farmers at farms.

"It is envisaged that welfare of cattle dealt with in market will be ensured and that only healthy animals are traded for agricultural purposes for the benefit of farmers," a Ministry statement said. 

The statement said the notified rules will remove the scope for illegal sale and smuggling of cattle, a major concern for the government. 

"The specific provisions apply only to animals which are bought and sold in the notified livestock markets and animals seized as case properties. These rules do not cover other areas," it added.

The Ministry said that some representations were received on Saturday regarding certain provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Market) Rules, 2017.

It said all the representations will be "duly examined".

"The basic purpose of the Rules is to ensure animal welfare in cattle markets and ensure adequate facilities for housing, feeding, feed storage area, water supply, water troughs, ramps, enclosures for sick animals, veterinary care and proper drainage," the statement said. 

The Supreme Court had in July 2015 passed an order to frame guidelines to prevent animal smuggling from India to Nepal for the Gadhimai Festival where large-scale animal sacrifice takes place, the Ministry said. 

"The court also directed that rules with regard to livestock markets and case property animals be notified."

The Animal Welfare Board of India prepared the draft rules by incorporating all suggestions made by the Supreme Court, the Ministry said.

It added that the draft rules were notified in January to invite objections and suggestions, if any. 

"Thirteen representations were received regarding the aforesaid rules. They were duly examined and incorporated, wherever found suitable. The rules were finally notified on May 23," the Ministry said.

The Environment Ministry had on Friday modified the animal cruelty rules, making it mandatory to ensure the cattle are not bought or sold for slaughter.

The notification made it mandatory for cattle sellers and buyers to give an undertaking that the animal has not been traded for slaughtering.