Meat of the matter

Tue, Oct 27 03:54 PM

Why did MCD want to move the abattoir out of Idgah?

The MCD contends that shifting the old abattoir was extremely necessary, as it had an outdated system of slaughter, was unhygienic, was painful for the animals, caused massive traffic jams in the crowded old Delhi area and was posing health hazards to the residents of the area. MCD officials say that the new abattoir in Ghazipur has one of the most modern slaughter facilities in the world. It will be clean for workers and can slaughter almost 10,000 big and small animals. Idgah can only handle 2,500 animals.

Why are meat traders opposing the move, and why they are wrong?

First, meat traders contend that the new abattoir, at the Delhi-UP border, is too far from the major retail markets in Delhi. However, this is a fallacious argument. With multiple bridges linking east Delhi to the central part of the city, a distance of mere 20 kilometres isn't much. Also, the new abattoir is located on the National Highway Number 24, which makes commuting even easier.

Second, they contend that the new abattoir is adjacent to a huge garbage dump which is a health hazard to the people working there. Again, this ignores the fact that Idgah too is located near a garbage dump and is a health hazard primarily because of conditions inside, not outside.Third, they argue that the new, mechanised abattoir will make most of the casual labour redundant. Interestingly, there seems to be no protest from this casual labour.

The fourth is probably the crux of the traders' argument. The cost of slaughtering in the new abattoir, according to Meat Traders Association, will rise significantly from the current Rs 12.5 for a buffalo and Rs 5 for a goat to around Rs 300 per buffalo and Rs 45 per goat. Again, this is a hollow grievance, as the costs will be passed on to the consumer.

Is there any controversy surrounding the new abattoir itself?

The Ghazipur abattoir has indeed been mired in controversies ever since it was conceptualised six years ago. The new abattoir was originally scheduled to be completed in 2005, but a disagreement between the MCD and the contractor, Food Processing Equipment, led to delays. Objections were raised by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on the ground that it will pollute the neighbouring localities.

Also, the Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad raised objections to the location of the new abattoir over fears that bird hits could damage its aircraft—meat leftovers attract big birds like kites and eagles.

However, most of these grievances have been addressed and the Supreme Court has said that no more slaughter will take place at Idgah after October 29, a clear indication that everyone must move to Ghazipur.

Where do the central government and food processing ministry stand on this issue?

The central government has been largely silent on this issue, as the matter concerns a state government. But the Union Cabinet, in February this year, passed a proposal of the food processing ministry to launch a comprehensive scheme for modernisation of abattoirs across the country which aims at providing facilities for scientific and less painful slaughtering, chilling, effluent treatment plant, by-product utilisation, water and power with required sanitary conditions. The scheme envisages technical and managerial guidance and financial assistance limited to Rs 15 crore per abattoir. Since then several state governments have undertaken schemes for modernisation of abattoirs.

What has been the impact on the prices of meat and chicken because of the impasse?

On an average, mutton prices in Delhi have moved up by Rs 50 to Rs 100 per kilogramme in local retail markets, with the variation depending on the locality. Chicken prices have also moved up by almost Rs 50 per kg because of strong demand—people substituting away from red meat. Poultry traders say that the price of live weight chicken (undressed) has risen from Rs 65 per kg last week in the wholesale markets to a record of Rs 95 per kg on Monday.

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