India-Cleaning up the nations abattoirs.

INDIA-CLEANING UP THE ABATTOIRS.

The CCEA (Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs) has approved the proposal of MFPI (Ministry of Food Processing Industries) to launch a new scheme for modernisation of abattoirs across the country. The scheme will be providing facilities for scientific and less painful slaughtering, chilling, effluent treatment plant, by-product utilisation, water and power with required sanitary conditions for modernisation of abattoirs.

The Centre has decided to extend financial, technical and managerial assistance to viable projects under a sustainable framework to be implemented by local authorities, boards and private investors. The assistance for modernisation will be considered under the scheme of the local municipal authorities for capacity expansion.. Currently, India is the 8th largest meat producer in the world with an estimated annual production of about 4.9 million tonnes per annum. The bovine meat shares about 60%, whereas buffalo, small ruminants, poultry and pigs share 30%, 15%, 12% and 10% respectively.

Further, the scheme envisages technical and managerial guidance to the concerned local authority, through a professional PMA (programme management agency) who would assist the ministry for technical appraisals and monitoring of the projects. The volume of assistance is 50% and 75% of the eligible cost of plant & machinery and Technical Civil Work in general areas and difficult areas respectively with a ceiling of Rs15 crore per abattoir.

According to a statement issued by the MFPI, the approved scheme is aimed at providing modern infrastructure for mechanical slaughter of animals and hygienic processing of meat and meat products and to ensure better value for the producers. The scheme would contribute to the agricultural sector and generate large employment opportunities in the rural areas and meat processing sector including by-products of animal origin like leather industry, meat/blood/bone meal and bio composting industries.