Government Seeks Public Feedback on Amendments to Animal Slaughterhouse and Meat Inspection Act

Kathmandu, May 26 – The government has released the draft bill to amend the ‘Animal Slaughterhouse and Meat Inspection Act, 1998’ and is inviting public suggestions within seven days. The proposed amendments include expanding the definition of meat to encompass fish and require mandatory licensing for the establishment and operation of slaughterhouses. The draft bill also proposes increasing fines based on the offense, setting them between a minimum of NPR 25,000 and a maximum of NPR 100,000.

The government is moving forward with the process of updating the nearly 25-year-old Animal Slaughterhouse and Meat Inspection Act to better respond to current needs. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Environment has prepared and publicly released the draft bill for amendments, seeking opinions, suggestions, and support from stakeholders and the general public. The ministry issued a notice on Tuesday urging submission of feedback within seven days.

A key aspect of this amendment is to clearly delineate the jurisdiction among federal, provincial, and local levels in accordance with the federal structure. The ministry stated that the bill is introduced to effectively implement the fundamental right of every consumer, as enshrined under Article 44 of Nepal’s Constitution, to access quality goods and services. Furthermore, the bill aims to promote private sector participation in the establishment and improvement of slaughterhouses, meat sale centers, and meat shops while raising public awareness.