Animal Slaughterhouse and Meat Inspection Act Enforced in Only Three Cities After 27 Years

The Animal Slaughterhouse and Meat Inspection Act, 2055 BS, has been enforced in only three cities even after 27 years. This act came into effect from Jestha 15, 2065 BS, exclusively in Hetauda, Butwal, and Surkhet. The lack of implementing bodies and shortage of technical personnel have adversely impacted public health. Kathmandu, 20 Chaitra.

Although the law was codified in 2055 BS, it has only been applied in three cities, and that too only after a decade. According to Section 2 of the act, the Government of Nepal has stipulated that the act is applicable only in designated areas announced through Nepal Gazette notifications. On this basis, the act has so far been implemented only in Hetauda, Butwal, and Surkhet.

Chief Veterinary Officer Sujan Rana, head of the Veterinary Quality and Drug Regulatory Laboratory, stated that the absence of the law in other cities has had negative effects on public health. He said, “This situation has arisen due to the absence of implementing agencies and the lack of a dedicated unit for enforcing the act within the Department of Animal Services.”

He further emphasized that the current shortage of technical personnel authorized to conduct meat inspections could severely impact public health, underscoring the need for stakeholders’ attention.