TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court Wednesday allowed the import of animals for slaughter, in a relief to large section of Goans who form part of the beef eating community in the state.
The state consumes nearly 15 tonnes of meat everyday.
“Yes now traders can bring in animals,” Goa Meat Complex’s Lyndon Monteiro told Herald, adding that the animals would have to be brought to the complex before they can be slaughtered.
As of now the meat complex was supplying slaughtered beef to the traders who would in the end sell it in retail. GMCL was importing beef from neighbouring Belgaum.
The state has been facing a beef shortage since April after the High Court banned slaughtering animals below 12 years of age and also stopped import of animals for slaughtering following Govansh Raksha Abhiyaan’s petition before the Panaji bench of the Bombay High Court that alleged that there were various illegalities within the abattoir.
A three-member committee, had also been appointed to look into the allegations and the report cast practices at the abattoir in poor light.
Goa, has 27 per cent Catholic population and 11 per cent Muslim population which relies on beef for nutrition and which forms part of its menu.
Slaughter of bulls, oxen and male buffaloes in Goa is allowed only at the government abattoir, however, cow slaughter is banned.
