New meat law passed
The House yesterday passed a bill aimed to control the spread of contagious diseases including anthrax through ensuring animal fitness before slaughtering and controlling meat quality.
The new law, Animal Slaughter (Restriction) and Meat (Control) Act, 2011, has provision for punishment with jail term up to maximum one year and fine up to maximum Tk 25,000 or both for violation of the law.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdul Latif Biswas proposed passing the bill at the parliament in the city yesterday.
The cabinet approved the draft bill of the law in 2010, which was aimed at replacing the
Animal Slaughter (Restriction) and Meat (Control) Act, 1957.
Earlier, some BNP led opposition lawmakers submitted several notices seeking further amendment to the bill. But their proposals were not placed yesterday due to their absence.
The new law has provision to punish those responsible for slaughtering sick animals and marketing of unhygienic meats and meat products, whereas the previous law lacked directives on the same.
Besides, hens, ducks and some other animals and birds were not incorporated in the previous law.
In the current bill, there are provisions to issue license for operating meat selling centers and meat processing industries.
The government will also create a legal structure on export of meat and meat products, the draft law said.
Health experts in collaboration with the administration will ensure testing of animals and its meats before these go to the markets.
Besides, the persons working in animal slaughtering centers, meat marketing centers and meat products industries will go through regular medical checkup, said the bill.
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