It is encouraging that the Union Environment Minister, Harsh Vardhan has said that the Government is reviewing the new rules for regulating the cattle market because there are serious objections. It has been argued that withdrawal of the notification banning sale of cattle and buffaloes for slaughter in animal markets is necessary. Clarification has been made by the Centre that it has no intention to prohibit bovine slaughter which will adversely impact the multi-billion dollar meat and leather processing industries. The measure can also adversely affect dairy farming. The advocates of the ban argue that bovines can be procured straight from farms. The livestock markets only deal with animals meant for milch and agriculture purposes. In the western countries, a distinction is made between beef cattle farmers and dairy cattle farmers. In India, when buffaloes stop giving milk, they are sold for slaughter. The buyer is also a businessman and takes these buffaloes which are bought by them to livestock markets. The farmer’s unproductive bovine is thus paid for and the cost of fodder and labour resources is saved. The proceeds from the transaction can be spent on milch cattle to augment income.

If such markets are abolished, the farmer will suffer. The ordinary dairy farmer cannot sell cattle directly to a slaughterhouse. Trade in unproductive bovines becomes profitable only if there is a market where sellers and buyers meet on a single platform. Closure of the markets will be counter-productive for the economy.