Karnataka's new cow slaughter law will halt beef trade in Goa

New Delhi, 10 December 2020 Thursday

Karnataka's new cow slaughter law could block the supply of meat to Goa. Goa beef supply meat traders and sellers have expressed such apprehensions. The Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Wednesday passed the Cow Slaughter Prevention and Animal Protection Bill 2020 amidst unrest. The bill provides for stricter action against anyone involved in cow smuggling, illegal transportation, atrocities and cow slaughter. It may be mentioned here that about 20 tons of beef is consumed every day in Goa. In addition to most tourists, 26% Catholic and 11% Muslim population eat beef.

Goa is dependent on Karnataka for beef supply. The people of Goa bring fresh meat from Belgaum district of North Karnataka. So, cattle are brought here for slaughter in the only notified abattoir in Goa. However, locally available cattle are not enough to meet the demand of the state. Manna trader, president of Qureshi Meat Traders Association, is worried about the future of meat trade in Goa. "The new law not only prohibits the movement of cattle, but also provides for a prison. This will make it impossible for us to bring cattle to Goa for beef," he said.

“We’ve been doing this business for generations,” said one butcher. This bill of Karnataka government will put a complete ban on our business. We will take up the issue with the Goa government. He said about 40% of Goa's population eats beef, in addition to the tourism industry and the demand for hotels and restaurants, which mainly cater to foreign tourists.

Fell alone in Goa

The law was already strict in Maharashtra, but now the law has changed in Karnataka as well. Goa is now isolated, with strict animal slaughter laws in place in both Maharashtra and now Karnataka. The Goa Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act prohibits the slaughter of cows, while it allows the slaughter of oxen, calves, lambs and buffaloes, which are slaughtered after a death certificate has been issued by a veterinarian.