Cattle slaughter in India

Cattle slaughter, especially cow slaughter, is a controversial topic of religion in India, because of cattle's status as an endeared and respected living being to adherents of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, & Parsi-Zoroastrianism;^{[2][3][4][5][6]} while being an acceptable source of meat for Muslims, Christians & Jews; as well as the adherents of other non-Dharmic religions, such as Animists and Irani Zoroastrians.^{[7][8][9][10][11][12]} Cow slaughter has been shunned for a number of reasons, specifically because of the cow's association with the god Krishna in Hinduism, and because cattle have been an integral part of rural livelihoods as an economic necessity.^[13][14][15] Cattle slaughter has also been opposed by various Indian religions because of the ethical principle of Ahimsa (non-violence) and the belief in the unity of all life.^{[16][17][18][19]} Legislation against cattle slaughter is in place throughout most states and territories of India.^[19]

India's beef industry is predominantly based on the slaughter of domesticated water buffaloes or carabeef.^[1]

On 26 October 2005, the Supreme Court of India, in a landmark judgement upheld the constitutional validity of anti-cow slaughter laws enacted by various state governments of India.^{[20][21][22][23]} 20 out of 28 states in India had various laws regulating the act of slaughtered cow, prohibiting the slaughter or sale of cows.^{[24][25][26][27][28]} Goa, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Pondicherry, Kerala, Arunachal and the other Seven Sister States & West Bengal; are the places where there are no restrictions on cow slaughter.^{[29][30][31][32]} As per existing meat export policy in India, the export of beef (meat of cow, oxen& calf) is prohibited. Bone in meat, carcass, half carcass of buffalo is also prohibited and is not permitted to be exported. Only the boneless meats of buffalo, goat, sheep& birds are permitted for export.^[33][34] India feels that the restriction on export to only boneless meat with a ban on meat with bones will add to the brand image of Indian meat. Animal carcasses are subjected to maturation for at least 24 hours before deboning. Subsequent heat processing during the bone removal operation is believed to be sufficient to kill the virus causing foot and mouth disease.^[35]

The laws governing cattle slaughter in India vary greatly from state to state. The "Preservation, protection and improvement of stock and prevention of animal diseases, veterinary training and practice" is Entry 15 of the State List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, meaning that State legislatures have exclusive powers to legislate the prevention of slaughter and preservation of cattle. Some states permit the slaughter of cattle with restrictions like a "fit-for-slaughter" certificate which may be issued depending on factors like age and sex of cattle, continued economic viability etc. Others completely ban cattle slaughter, while there is no restriction in a few states.^[36] On 26 May 2017, the Ministry of Environment of the Government of India led by Bharatiya Janata Party imposed a ban on the sale and purchase of cattle for slaughter at animal markets across India, under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals statutes,^[37][38] although Supreme Court of India suspended the ban on sale of cattle in its judgement in July 2017,^[39] giving relief to beef and leather industries.^[40]

According to a 2016 United States Department of Agriculture review, India has rapidly grown to become the world's largest beef exporter, accounting for 20% of world's beef trade based on its large water buffalo meat processing industry.^[1] Surveys of cattle slaughter operations in India have reported hygiene and ethics concerns.^[41][42] According to United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization and European Union, India beef consumption per capita per year is the world's lowest amongst the countries it surveyed.^[43] Under the current trade laws of India, the export and import of beef (meat of cow, oxen and calf) is prohibited. Bone in meat, carcass, half carcass of buffalo is also prohibited and is not permitted to be exported. Only the boneless meat of buffalo (carabeef) is permitted for export.^[33][34] The buffalo-meat exports constitute the predominant portion of the beef trade in India.^[44][45] India produced 3.643 million metric tons of beef in 2012, of which 1.963 million metric tons was consumed domestically and 1.680 million metric tons was exported. According to a 2012 report, India ranks fifth in the world in beef production and seventh in domestic consumption.^[46] The Indian government requires mandatory microbiological and other testing of exported beef.^[44]