http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Animal-welfare-organizations-slam-govt-move-to-set-up-25-new-abattoirs/articleshow/15654718.cms
NAGPUR: Animal welfare
organizations have slammed the ministry of food processing industries
(MFPI) decision to set up 25 new abattoirs and modernize 25 existing
ones across the country before 2014.
Animal welfare organizations like Sukrut Nirman Charitable Trust (Nagpur), People for Animals (Haryana) and International Organization for Animal Protection (OIPA) in India say that the government is fooling the people.
Kanakrai Savadia, chairman of Sukrut, said there is no check on conditions in slaughter houses which are "primitive and unhygienic". "Slaughter houses are exposing the workers and consumers to the fatal zoonotic and food-borne infections. Besides, animals are subjected to cruelty at all stages," he said.
Listing out the figures, Savadia said the present production of meat in India is estimated at 6.27 million tonnes, which is 2.21% of the world's meat production. The contribution of meat from buffalo is about 23.33%, while cattle contributes about 17.34%, sheep 4.61%, goat 9.36%, pig 5.31%, poultry 36.68% and other species 3.37%.
"The meat production has increased and if you see the figures, contribution of buffalo meat accounts for more than 75% of total exports of meat sector. This is causing milk shortage and putting pressure on cow and cattle slaughter," Savadia told TOI.
A few modern abattoirs in India are run largely by big private players exporting meat. "The government only wants to help these players on the pretext of improving hygienic meat production and, more importantly, with an eye on foreign exchange through export," Savadia added.
Savadia says the exporters are resorting to outsourcing of meat from small traders rather than slaughtering at their own facility. This is due labour problems and hitches in procurement of animals. This has led to a spurt in illegal purchase of meat from local butchers at predetermined price and then export it after processing and packaging.
"Another critical problem we are facing is dwindling animal population because of indiscriminate slaughter of animals mainly for export just to satisfy foreign consumers," said Savadia.
The Central Leather Institute (CLI), Chennai, run by the government has expressed grave concern over the indiscriminate slaughter of animals of export especially buffaloes. The CLI says livestock in India in relation to human population is much lower compared to many livestock holding countries. There is an immediate need to arrest the present practice of indiscriminate slaughter of young and productive animals.
Naresh Kadyan, OIPA's India representative, said, "We have already opposed the MFPI decision. The slaughterhouses are playing havoc and no steps have been taken over the years to improve the situation. New abattoirs would cause more problems."
Kadyan said the country will have to face an acute shortage of animals and animal products. Existing slaughterhouses are unable to meet their requirements and hence procuring buffaloes by illegal means.
"We will file a PIL if the decision is not withdrawn. The export-oriented slaughterhouses are killing productive milch buffaloes clandestinely to fulfil export commitments," said Abishekh Kadyan, leader of PFA, Haryana.
Savadia says the depletion in cattle population has brought about a steep escalation in the cost of all animals. The most unfortunate fallout of this has been on small farmers. They are lured to sell their animals, but soon discover that it is impossible to buy fresh stock again.
Anuradha Prasad, joint secretary of MFPI, did not respond to a query sent to her. However, her office could only confirm that proposals from prospective bidders have been received and scrutiny has been done. The issue will be put before the group of ministers (GOM) for approval soon.
Meaty Tales
India poduces an estimated 6.27 million tonnes which is 2.21% of the world's meat production
Buffalo meat is about 23.33%, cattle 17.34%, sheep 4.61%, goat 9.36%, pig 5.31%, poultry 36.68% and other species 3.37%
The government only wants to help the big meat exporters on the pretext of improving hygienic meat production. It also has an eye on foreign exchange through export
Kanakrai Savadia | chairman of Sukrut Nirman Charitable Trust
We have already opposed the decision. The slaughterhouses are playing havoc and no steps have been taken over the years to improve the situation. New abattoirs would cause more problems
Naresh Kadyan | OIPA's India representative
We will file a PIL if the decision is not withdrawn. The export-oriented slaughterhouses are killing productive milch buffaloes clandestinely to fulfill export commitments
Abishekh Kadyan | PFA chief, Haryana
Animal welfare organizations like Sukrut Nirman Charitable Trust (Nagpur), People for Animals (Haryana) and International Organization for Animal Protection (OIPA) in India say that the government is fooling the people.
Kanakrai Savadia, chairman of Sukrut, said there is no check on conditions in slaughter houses which are "primitive and unhygienic". "Slaughter houses are exposing the workers and consumers to the fatal zoonotic and food-borne infections. Besides, animals are subjected to cruelty at all stages," he said.
Listing out the figures, Savadia said the present production of meat in India is estimated at 6.27 million tonnes, which is 2.21% of the world's meat production. The contribution of meat from buffalo is about 23.33%, while cattle contributes about 17.34%, sheep 4.61%, goat 9.36%, pig 5.31%, poultry 36.68% and other species 3.37%.
"The meat production has increased and if you see the figures, contribution of buffalo meat accounts for more than 75% of total exports of meat sector. This is causing milk shortage and putting pressure on cow and cattle slaughter," Savadia told TOI.
A few modern abattoirs in India are run largely by big private players exporting meat. "The government only wants to help these players on the pretext of improving hygienic meat production and, more importantly, with an eye on foreign exchange through export," Savadia added.
Savadia says the exporters are resorting to outsourcing of meat from small traders rather than slaughtering at their own facility. This is due labour problems and hitches in procurement of animals. This has led to a spurt in illegal purchase of meat from local butchers at predetermined price and then export it after processing and packaging.
"Another critical problem we are facing is dwindling animal population because of indiscriminate slaughter of animals mainly for export just to satisfy foreign consumers," said Savadia.
The Central Leather Institute (CLI), Chennai, run by the government has expressed grave concern over the indiscriminate slaughter of animals of export especially buffaloes. The CLI says livestock in India in relation to human population is much lower compared to many livestock holding countries. There is an immediate need to arrest the present practice of indiscriminate slaughter of young and productive animals.
Naresh Kadyan, OIPA's India representative, said, "We have already opposed the MFPI decision. The slaughterhouses are playing havoc and no steps have been taken over the years to improve the situation. New abattoirs would cause more problems."
Kadyan said the country will have to face an acute shortage of animals and animal products. Existing slaughterhouses are unable to meet their requirements and hence procuring buffaloes by illegal means.
"We will file a PIL if the decision is not withdrawn. The export-oriented slaughterhouses are killing productive milch buffaloes clandestinely to fulfil export commitments," said Abishekh Kadyan, leader of PFA, Haryana.
Savadia says the depletion in cattle population has brought about a steep escalation in the cost of all animals. The most unfortunate fallout of this has been on small farmers. They are lured to sell their animals, but soon discover that it is impossible to buy fresh stock again.
Anuradha Prasad, joint secretary of MFPI, did not respond to a query sent to her. However, her office could only confirm that proposals from prospective bidders have been received and scrutiny has been done. The issue will be put before the group of ministers (GOM) for approval soon.
Meaty Tales
India poduces an estimated 6.27 million tonnes which is 2.21% of the world's meat production
Buffalo meat is about 23.33%, cattle 17.34%, sheep 4.61%, goat 9.36%, pig 5.31%, poultry 36.68% and other species 3.37%
The government only wants to help the big meat exporters on the pretext of improving hygienic meat production. It also has an eye on foreign exchange through export
Kanakrai Savadia | chairman of Sukrut Nirman Charitable Trust
We have already opposed the decision. The slaughterhouses are playing havoc and no steps have been taken over the years to improve the situation. New abattoirs would cause more problems
Naresh Kadyan | OIPA's India representative
We will file a PIL if the decision is not withdrawn. The export-oriented slaughterhouses are killing productive milch buffaloes clandestinely to fulfill export commitments
Abishekh Kadyan | PFA chief, Haryana
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