July 8, 2013

The United Nations affiliated International Organisation for Animal Protection (OIPA) in India has demanded from the government to reconsider meat export policy, in view of large-scale slaughtering of cattle.

In a petition on meat export policy of India, Naresh Kadyan of OIPA said beef exports have gone up 44% in four years. According to data compiled by the animal husbandry departments of all states, meat from registered slaughterhouses increased from 5.57 lakh tonnes (557,000 tonnes) in 2008 to 8.05 lakh tonnes (805,000 tonnes) in 2011. Export earnings from bovine (beef & cattle) meat is expected to touch INR18,000 crore (US$3 billion) in 2012-13.

Quoting USDA, Kadyan said India became the largest beef exporter edging out Australia and New Zealand in May 2012. Uttar Pradesh is the top buffalo meat-producing state with three lakh tonnes (300,000 tonnes) in 2011. At least 70% of the buffalo meat is exported.