Beef ban matter: SC to hear Maharashtra Govt.'s appeal on beef ban

The Supreme Court is likely to hear the Maharashtra Government's appeal against the Bombay High Court decision to strike down the ban on possessing beef by citizens in the state, on Friday.

Earlier on July 11, the apex court, while hearing a matter on a cow-slaughter ban, said that the Madras High Court's stay on the government's notification banning the sale of cattle for slaughter at animal markets is operational.

The Centre told the Supreme Court that owing to public objections, it is re-considering certain aspect of its recent rules banning sale and purchase of cattle for slaughter from animal markets.

On May 25, the Centre, through an order, imposed a ban on the sale of cattle, including cows, for slaughter and restricted cattle trade solely to farm owners.

Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Harsh Vardhan had ordered that the ministry has notified the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 to ensure that the sale of cattle is not meant for slaughter purposes.

Regulating animal trade is a state business, but animal welfare is a central subject, thereby providing the window for the ministry to notify the rule.

In lieu of this, there was widespread opposition of the order, with many states openly denying accepting the notification.