Animal slaughtering laws
Most newspapers have reported on this new bill in their 5th October issue. It is an improvement of the Act of 1983 on the matter. After all, we improve as we learn. Hopefully, it will ensure that the unwary buyer gets quality meat free of diseases.
However, we may hope that 'all is well, that ends well.' But the million dollar question remains, will it really end well? Although the law has been passed, the mechanism for ensuring quality meat has not been enunciated! Therein is the loophole for the unscrupulous meat seller to sell contaminated meat. Having a license only will not prevent this. Take our laws regarding taxes on import of goods and materials. It is all there, yet smuggling is a thriving business, involving crores of taka. That is the unfortunate fallacy. Our experiences, however, show that in this matter too, immoral traders would sell tainted and diseased meat to unwary customers.
In the long run, only time will tell as to how effective the quality control measures will be. That is the key to preventing the sale of disease-infected meats in the market. The government must ensure, through the municipality slaughterhouses, strict quality control. Another step could be to stop the slaughter of animals for public sale of meat in any other place other than the recognised municipal abattoir, where regular and strict counter check of quality control measures is in place. Offenders should be punished by harsh jail term plus a large fine and cancellation of their license.
There is more of down the line discipline, which has to be foolproof and must be ensured. This is the most difficult side of the problem. Mere passing of the bill will not be enough.
S.A. Mansoor, Dhaka
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