Lok Sabha Question No. 4602 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-20
Subject: Regulation of Beef and Buffalo Meat Exports
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Rajesh Ranjan

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4602 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 th MARCH, 2026

## REGULATION OF BEEF AND BUFFALO MEAT EXPORTS

## †4602. SHRI RAJESH RANJAN:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India issues licences or certifications related to the export of beef and buffalo meat and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the number of functional slaughterhouses for cattle and buffaloes producing exportquality
- meat in the country as on date, State/UT-wise;
- (c) whether the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India conducts regular inspections of cattle prior to slaughter in slaughterhouses to ensure that no sick animals are slaughtered and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the details of the registered suppliers or establishments where such inspections are conducted?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (d): Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is mandated to lay down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption. The implementation and enforcement of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 is a shared responsibility between the Central and State Governments.

Export and certification related to the export of beef and buffalo meat do not fall under the ambit of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

As per Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) ' s Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), the export of beef (meat of cow, oxen, calf) is prohibited and is not permitted to be exported. However, for export of buffalo meat health certificate is issued by the State Veterinarian deputed by the State Animal Health Department at Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) ' s registered Meat Establishments.

There are 94 functional slaughterhouses registered with APEDA for producing exportquality buffalo meat in the country as on date. The State/UT-wise details are as under:-

| S. No.   | State/UT       |   Number of Units |
|----------|----------------|-------------------|
| 1        | Andhra Pradesh |                 5 |
| 2        | Bihar          |                 6 |
| 3        | Delhi          |                 1 |
| 4        | Goa            |                 1 |
| 5        | Haryana        |                10 |
| 6        | Karnataka      |                 1 |
| 7        | Kerala         |                 1 |
| 8        | Maharashtra    |                19 |
| 9        | Punjab         |                 6 |
| 10       | Telangana      |                 3 |
| 11       | Uttar Pradesh  |                40 |
| 12       | West Bengal    |                 1 |
|          | Total          |                94 |

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