Legislation amended to enable cattle slaughter ban - Govt.

The Cabinet yesterday (18) approved a consolidated resolution tabled by the Prime Minister, the Minister of Public Services, Provincial Councils and Local Government and the Minister of Agriculture to publish as gazette notifications, bills that have been amended to enable the ban on cattle slaughter in the country. The bills will thereafter be tabled in Parliament.

Cabinet approval was granted on 28th September 2020 to prohibit cattle slaughter in order to increase local agriculture and local milk production and to amend the laws and regulations applicable to it.

Approval was also granted to amend by-laws passed by the local government institutions in relation to cattle slaughter.

Accordingly, the Legal Draftsman has drafted bills to amend the following acts/ordinances:

• Authority 272 of the Cattle Slaughter Ordinance No. 9 of 1893

• Animal Act No. 29 of 1958

• Authority 252 of Municipal Councils Ordinance

• Authority 255 of Urban Councils Ordinance

• Pradeshiya Sabha Ordinance No. 15 of 1987

The Attorney General has certified that the said bills are not clashing with the provisions of the Constitution, the Government stated.