Stiff penalties for sale of uncertified meat approved

Draft amendment seeks up to eight years imprisonment for violators

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has approved an amendment to the Punjab Animals Slaughter Control Act of 1963, increasing penalties for those caught operating slaughter houses without a licence or selling uncertified meat.

This was stated by Food Minister Bilal Yasin during a meeting with journalists on Tuesday. He said the violators could face a prison term of up to eight years or a Rs500,000 fine after the enactment of the amendment. Yasin said the amendment sought a monetary award of up to 75 per cent of the fine imposed on the violator for people reporting the matter to the government. He said he hoped this would encourage people to report cases and bring to justice those involved in the crime.

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He said the penalties would also extend to those caught selling meat of prohibited animals.

Food Minister Bilal Yasin said a crackdown against illegal slaughtering of animals and sale of uncertified meat was already underway in the province. He said the amendment would help ensure supply of safe and healthy meat.  Speaking to The Express Tribune, Livestock and Dairy Development Department spokesman Israr Hussain said the department was working in coordination with the City District Government of Lahore and the Punjab Food Authority in the ongoing crackdown.

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“Dozens of raids are carried out on illegal slaughterhouses every week. Thousands of kilograms of unsafe meat has been seized in these raids,” he said. He said the department had also introduced a short messaging service (SMS) through which consumers could ascertain whether or not meat available in the market was certified by the department.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 30^th, 2015.