The Centre has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that slaughterhouses and meat processing units do not need to be included under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, due to existing regulatory measures. This response came after animal rights activist Gauri Maulekhi petitioned the NGT to include these entities within the EIA framework, citing environmental concerns such as water overuse, water body contamination, and the risk of zoonotic diseases. The Union Environment Ministry, referencing a report by a working group established in August of the previous year, argued that current guidelines are sufficient to manage the environmental impact of these facilities.
The ministry contended that the existing regulatory and monitoring mechanisms involving district magistrates, pollution control boards, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) adequately address the environmental concerns associated with slaughterhouses and meat processing units. It was stated that incorporating these units under the EIA, 2006, would not add significant value since the main issue lies in enforcing already established regulations. Furthermore, the ministry noted that the problems highlighted by the petitioner mostly pertain to unorganized sectors, suggesting a focus on their modernization to mitigate environmental harm.
The working group report emphasized the environmental damage caused by illegal slaughterhouses, recommending stringent regulatory and monitoring actions to integrate them into the organized sector. Suggestions included the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) coordinating with state-level committees to tackle illegal operations and proposing state or central funding for their upgrade and modernization. Priority was recommended for improving waste management infrastructure. Additionally, the FSSAI was advised to intensify inspections, ensuring that slaughterhouses adhere to food safety and pollution standards before receiving licenses.