IndiaTomorrow.net,

New Delhi, June 10: Demanding withdrawal of the new cattle trade and slaughter rules, farmers on Friday burned copies of the central government's notification that has restricted sale and purchase of cattle from market for slaughter.

Besides Delhi, farmers protested against the new rules in many districts and villages. In Delhi, members of All India Kisan Sabha along with Bhoomi Adhikar Andolan and various other organisations burned the notification copy at Jantar Mantar. 

On 23rd May, the Union Ministry of Environment issued a notification - Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules 2017, saying its aim is to regulate animal market and prevent cruelty. As per the new rules, cattle that include bulls, bullocks, cows, buffalos, steers, heifers, calves and camels, can't be purchased or sold from any livestock market across the country for the purpose of slaughtering.

Since then cattle traders and dairy farmers have been opposing it as it has posed a jeopardous situation for their livelihood. 

To ensure the rules are implemented, undertakings will have to be taken in the market by 'District Animal Market Monitoring Committee' (at district level) and 'Animal Market Committee' at local level. It also makes necessary for buyers to declare that he/she is not buying the cattle for slaughtering. It is also stated that the buyer can't sell the cattle within six months after the date of purchase.

The new rules have been notified under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960.

On Tuesday, the Kerala Assembly, in one-day special session, passed a resolution against the new cattle trade rules. Meanwhile, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking withdrawal of the notification.

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