New Decision to Enforce 30-Year-Old Slaughterhouse and Meat Inspection Act: What Does It Entail?
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Experts note that Prime Minister Barendra Shah ‘Balen’, having served as the mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, should be aware of the challenges local authorities have faced in enforcing the three-decade-old Slaughterhouse and Meat Inspection Act.
Under his chairmanship, the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday resolved to implement the “Slaughterhouse and Meat Inspection Act, 2055” in phases across Nepal.
However, experts stress that adequate infrastructure and a shift in consumer mindset are essential for full compliance with this law.
Good News for Consumers
Image credit, Krishna Prasad Poudel
The Act mandates that only animals which have undergone prior health inspection at designated slaughterhouses can be slaughtered and their meat legally sold.
Consumer rights advocates emphasize the need for complete adherence to this law for healthy meat consumption.
“From a public health perspective, this Act is extremely important. Meat should not be butchered and sold arbitrarily at random shops or locations. It must be slaughtered hygienically at designated slaughterhouses and sold under refrigeration,” said Bishwo Timilsina, General Secretary of the Consumer Rights Protection Forum.
“Although delayed, the government’s efforts to enforce this law thoroughly is welcome news for consumers,” he added.
Former Secretary of the Meat Traders Association, Krishna Prasad Poudel, acknowledged that while the law’s provisions meet modern standards, the situation remains complex.
“Nowadays, it is a consumer’s right to access hygienically processed meat. We traders are prepared to adopt these standards, but current practices have yet to inspire enthusiasm,” he said.
Lal Kumar Shrestha, spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment, explained that the law will be implemented progressively.
According to him, it is planned to be enacted in the Kathmandu Valley within four months, in all municipalities within six months, and nationwide within a year.
“We will implement this in partnership with local governments,” he stated.
Why Has Enforcement Been Challenging?
Industry insiders and consumer advocates cite lack of infrastructure and traditional attitudes as primary obstacles to full enforcement of the 2055 Act.
The Act specifies that animals must be slaughtered only at slaughterhouses. Where such facilities do not exist, animals should be slaughtered only at times and places designated by meat inspectors. However, well-managed slaughterhouses remain too few.
Kathmandu Metropolitan City has planned a permanent slaughterhouse in Tankeshwar, but the multi-million rupee facility in Butwal is currently not in operation.
“We want to enforce slaughterhouse regulations, but location constraints have prevented permanent implementation. The name ‘slaughterhouse’ tends to evoke associations with filth and neighbors’ disapproval. Land has been identified in Tankeshwar, but building permanent structures along the riverbank is prohibited,” said Naveen Manandhar, spokesperson for Kathmandu Metropolitan City.
Though there was a plan to establish modern slaughterhouses at five locations across the country, only one was built in Butwal, which is currently non-operational, noted businessman Krishna Prasad Poudel.
“Matters have been tied up in litigation. Nevertheless, the Butwal Sub-Metropolitan Municipality is now prepared to implement this necessary law,” said Shiv Rana, spokesperson for Butwal Sub-Metropolitan Municipality.
Another significant challenge is the prevalent consumer mindset.
“Consumers prefer meat from animals slaughtered on the spot with the skin intact rather than refrigerated meat. The government needs to raise awareness and encourage usage of hygienically cut and refrigerated meat,” said Bishwo Timilsina.
Traders also view this as a major hurdle.
“Public awareness is limited. If goats are skinned before sale, consumers are suspicious, wondering whether the meat is really goat. They prefer meat with skin, freshly butchered before them,” said businessman Thaneshwar Subedi from Rupandehi.
Given these factors, significant challenges remain for full compliance under the new government.
However, Umesh Dahal, Director General of the Department of Animal Services, confirmed the law will be implemented progressively.
“Even if slaughterhouses are not immediately built everywhere, designated slaughter sites can be established where animals must be slaughtered instead of anywhere else. This does not require huge infrastructure,” Dahal explained.
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Agriculture issued three notices signaling strong commitment to enforcing the law.
The ministry declared it will survey the conditions of slaughterhouses, slaughter sites, and meat shops, and called for registered veterinarians to apply for appointment as meat inspectors.
It also sought to compile a list of industries capable of processing byproducts such as blood, bones, horns, hooves, skins, and hair from slaughterhouses or slaughter sites.
Key Features of the Act
The Slaughterhouse and Meat Inspection Act, 2055 has been amended three times previously.
According to this Act, animal slaughter for meat production is permitted only at slaughterhouses. In areas lacking such facilities, locations designated by meat inspectors must be used.
Health inspection is mandatory before slaughter. Section 11 prohibits sale of meat from diseased or dead animals, or meat sold with skin attached.
Meat inspectors are appointed to check animal health and meat quality.
Inspected meat must be marked or stamped when transported.
However, section 16 allows for exceptions during traditional festivals, religious rites, and feasts — permitting animal slaughter outside slaughterhouses and consumption of meat with skin attached.
According to the Department of Animal Services, annual per capita meat consumption in Nepal is 20.5 kilograms.
Annual production includes 460,000 metric tons of meat from buffaloes, goats, poultry, pigs, and 131,000 metric tons of fish.