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6 Months Jail Or Rs 1,000 Fine: New Animal Slaughter Rules In Bengal
West Bengal issued a new notification requiring a fitness certificate from authorized local officials and a government veterinary surgeon before slaughtering any animal, including cows and buffaloes. The certificate must verify age over 14 and either non-usefulness for work/breeding or permanent incapacitation, and slaughter is restricted to designated facilities with penalties for violations.
Why It Matters
The rules introduce strict oversight on animal slaughter in Bengal, potentially affecting farmers, the meat supply chain, and animal welfare enforcement through cognizable offences and penalties.
Timeline
1 Event
West Bengal issues fitness-certificate based slaughter rules
May 14, 2026
The government notified that no animal, including cows, bulls, buffaloes and calves, can be slaughtered without a fitness certificate. The certificate must declare the animal is over 14 years old and either no longer useful for work or breeding, or permanently incapacitated due to age, injury, deformity or an incurable disease. It must be jointly issued by the Chairman of a Municipality or the Sabhapati of a Panchayat Samiti and a government veterinary surgeon, with written reasons. If refused, an appeal to the state government is allowed within 15 days. Slaughter is restricted to municipal slaughterhouses or other facilities identified by local administration, and slaughter in open public places is prohibited. Inspectors may enter premises for enforcement, and violations can lead to up to six months imprisonment or a fine of up to Rs 1,000, or both; offences are cognizable.