By Our Reporter
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SHILLONG, June 15: Soon after the High Court of Meghalaya observed that the state needs to ensure hygiene and a degree of decency while it was hearing a PIL regarding treatment of animals before they are culled, the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills has convened a meeting of all stakeholders.
During the meeting with the stakeholders, which include Shillong Municipal Board, Hima Mylliem, Food Safety Commissioner and representatives of Butchers’ Association etc., the DC said that meat sellers/vendors should not display meat or part of the meat openly either by hanging or placing it in front of the shop without covering it in order to avoid contamination and health hazards.
The meeting also briefed them about the constitution of the Animal Market Monitoring Committee.
The objective of the committee is to ensure that meat sellers and vendors comply with Section 18 to Rule 25 of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulations of Livestock Markets) Rules 2017 pertaining to sale of live animals.
“An awareness campaign shall be organised by the committee for enforcement of the Act. Further, as per the aforesaid order and also the Food Safety & Standards Act 2006/Food Safety & Standard Rules and Regulations 2011, meat sellers/vendors are not to display meat or part of the meat openly either by hanging or keeping in front of the shop without covering in order to avoid contamination and health hazards,” the Deputy Commissioner said in a statement issued here on Wednesday.
Sensitisation exercise will be conducted by the office of the Shillong Municipal Board and Food Safety Commissionerate, according to the statement.
Moreover, the DC has instructed the Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety to disseminate information and provide training on alternative methods of displaying meat including storage in glass-covered enclosures to prevent multiple contacts by buyers and swarming of flies, etc.
The Animal Market Monitoring Committee also encouraged the Butchers’ Association and meat vendors to shun plastic bags when selling meat products, while asking them to request buyers to bring their own carry bags.
Earlier hearing a PIL, the High Court of Meghalaya had asked the state to ensure hygiene and a degree of decency after the state submitted before the HC that several steps have been taken to ensure ethical treatment of animals before they are culled.
“However, the rather revolting sight of skinned animals or parts of animals or chopped off heads staring from the roadside shops remains a reality,” the HC had said, while expressing hope that the state takes appropriate measures in such regard, both to “ensure hygiene and a degree of decency”.
