Lok Sabha Question No. 406 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: New Rules on Sale of Livestock
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, N.K. PREMACHANDRAN, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 406

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2017

## New Rules on Sale of Livestock

## 406. SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has brought in a new Central rule that prohibits sale of Cows,  Bulls, Bullocks, Buffaloes, Steers, Heifers,  Calves  and  Camels  for slaughter or sacrifice in the livestock markets and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether certain State Governments have objected to the aforesaid rule;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any steps to sort out the issue and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has also received certain representations from the States seeking modification in the definition of cattle to exempt buffaloes; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

## MINISTERF FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a) The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 was notified by the Government of India on 23.05.2017.
- (b) The draft notification for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules was notified on 16th January, 2017 inviting objections and suggestions from all persons likely to be affected by it within 30 days. No objections were received from State Governments during this period. After final notification, some representations have been received.
- (c) to  (e)  A  Writ  Petition  (Civil)  No.  000422  of    2017  titled All  India  Jamiatul  Quresh Action  Committee  Through  its  President  Mohammed  Abdul  Faheem  Advocate  Vs Union  of  India was  filed  in  the Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  of  India. The  Hon'ble Supreme  Court  vide  order  dated  11.07.2017  observed  that  the  stay  granted  by  the Madurai  Bench  of  Madras  High    Court    vide    order    dated      30.05.2017    in    Writ Petition (MD) No. 7769 & 7771 and 10128 & 10129 to the operation of rules shall apply to the whole country. Thus, the operation of the notification dated 23.05.2017 has been stayed by Hon'ble Supreme Court of India.

The Hon'ble Supreme Court has disposed of the matter observing that 'Ministry of Environment and Forests, is presently  seized  of  the matter,  and  after  an  appropriate determination,  changes  if  any,  as  may  be  considered  appropriate  will  be  introduced after which the amended Rules, shall be re-notified.

We are of the view and accordingly direct that  as and when the amended Rules are notified, sufficient time be granted to all stake holders before they are implemented, so that they have a sufficient opportunity, if aggrieved, to assail them in consonance with law'.

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