Cleaver falls on sale, purchase of cattle for slaughter

Buffalo meat traders say ban would hit exports as 90% cattle is purchased from animal markets

The Union Ministry of Environment and Forest has banned the sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter — a move that could hurt the country’s buffalo meat export.

Animals, including cattle and buffaloes, can be bought and sold only for agricultural purposes. The market is worth around Rs 1 lakh crore.

The environment ministry’s notification evoked strong reactions from cattle  traders, meat exporters and political parties.

Buffalo exporters said the ban could hit their trade, as around 90 per cent of cattle slaughtered was bought from animal markets. 

“We will have to shut down our businesses as around 90 per cent