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Don't bring slaughterhouses, meat processing units under EIA: Center

The Indian government has informed (NGT) that it is not necessary to include slaughterhouses and meat processing units under (EIA).

By Ground report 19 Mar 2024

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Don't bring slaughterhouses, meat processing units under EIA: Center

The Indian government has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that it is not necessary to include slaughterhouses and meat processing units under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification of 2006. The decision comes after animal rights activist Gauri Maulekhi petitioned for their inclusion last year, citing environmental concerns such as high water usage, waste disposal issues, and zoonotic disease risks.

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The Union Environment Ministry, referencing a report by an eight-member working group, asserted that current guidelines and safeguards are sufficient to regulate these entities environmentally.

The Ministry’s affidavit to the NGT clarified that the EIA’s purpose is to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of proposed projects, but the existing oversight by district magistrates, pollution control boards, FSSAI, and APEDA adequately addresses the environmental issues posed by these units.

The Ministry further noted that the concerns raised by Maulekhi predominantly pertain to the unorganized sector, recommending a focus on modernization. The working group’s report highlighted that illegal slaughterhouses, particularly those with a capacity of up to nine animals, are significantly harming the environment and require stricter regulation and monitoring.

"Recently, the Union Environment Ministry submitted an affidavit to the NGT, based on a report that an eight-member working group, established in August last year, had produced."

"Requisite guidelines/safeguards are already in place to regulate the slaughterhouses /processing units from an environmental perspective, and there is no requirement for bringing slaughterhouses and meat processing units under the ambit of EIA, 2006," the Ministry said, a copy of which lies with Ground Report.

The EIA serves as a tool to assess the probable environmental impact of proposed projects or developments, considering socioeconomic, cultural, and human health factors before decision-making.

The report advised the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to collaborate with state-level committees to eliminate illegal operations and facilitate their integration into the organized sector. It emphasized the environmental benefits of converting unorganized slaughterhouses into modern facilities and suggested that they should aim to become ‘zero waste emitting’ industries.

"It stated that converting all unorganised slaughterhouses into modern abattoir would certainly improve the surrounding environment. Therefore, we must first make all unorganised slaughterhouses 'zero waste emitting' industries," it said.

The working group also recommended that the government consider funding for the expansion and modernization of these units, prioritizing waste management infrastructure. Additionally, the FSSAI is called upon to intensify inspections and ensure compliance with food safety and pollution standards before issuing licenses to slaughterhouses.