Municipal bodies not licensing authority for meat shops, slaughterhouses

Our Reporter
Dimapur, May 22 (EMN): Director of Humane Society International (HSI) Arkaprava Bhar stated that the municipality is not the licensing authority for meat shops and slaughterhouses anymore. However, it grants a No Objection Certificate (NOC), after which the meat shop or slaughterhouse can become eligible for applying for a license under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA).

Bhar was speaking at a workshop cum training on animal law sensitisation organised by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and the Humane Society International (HSI) on May 21 at Life Spring Corner in Dimapur.

Bhar, who was the resource person for the workshop, stressed on the action of FSSA under which the presence of a designated officer of Food Safety is required to destroy the meat, collect penalty and seal any sample that may be needed to be sent to the laboratory.

Under the Section 63 of FSSA, sale of meat or slaughter of animals without FSSA license will invite imprisonment upto six months and fine upto INR 5 lakh; meat with flies, dust and smoke sticking to it will invite penalty which may extend upto INR 1 Lakh under Section 54 FSSA and meat prepared and sold in unhygienic conditions will invite penalty which may extend upto INR 1 lakh under the Section 56 FSSA. 

Action under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 and Slaughterhouse Rules 2001 will be applied if a slaughterhouse is not recognised or licensed with Rule 3 of Slaughterhouse Rules 2001; Rule 6 will be applied if slaughter of animal is in front of another animal, drugging of animals before slaughtering, not stunning before slaughter, storage of hides and skins in the premises; and lack of necessary infrastructure, rodent and insect control, sanitary and drainage lines, lighting and ventilation, potable water will invite Rule 7 of the Slaughterhouse Rules 2001, he stated.

Expounding on this Act, he further informed that there are two different licenses given by the FSSA under the Food Safety and Standards (licensing and registration) Rules 2001- slaughterhouse (to kill animals) and meat shop (to sell meat). He noted that no animal can be slaughtered in a meat shop, not even poultry, and no live animal can be kept in a meat shop.

If violation of such rules are found, actions can be initiated by a police officer not below the rank of sub inspector; he has to establish offence, while photograph and video evidence must be taken; live animals will be seized and custody given to SPCA or local animal welfare organisation following due procedure; FIR will be registered under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and under Section 268,269, 429 of the Indian Penal Code; meat will be destroyed by the designated officer, FSSA and challan will be made by the designated officer of FSSA.

It was also emphasised that other offences such as employing children in a meat shop or a slaughterhouse, disposing of waste in household drains,and causing religious sentiments to be offended may be noted and action taken.