Asaduddin Owaisi asks Centre to clarify policy on buffalo meat export, Nirmala Sitharaman gives apt reply

Owaisi's question comes amid the ongoing crackdown on illegal slaughterhouses in Uttar Pradesh.

New Delhi: With closure of illegal slaughterhouses in Uttar Pradesh becoming a hot topic of discussion in the political arena, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday, raised the issue of China not allowing import of Indian buffalo meat.

While speaking in the Lok Sabha, the Hyderabad MP said, “Export of buffalo meat is approximately 26684.22 crores and there has been a negative growth of 8.87 percent. So I would ask the minister concerned as to why China is not allowing Indian meat to be imported and what steps the Centre is taking to sort out the issue.”

"Out of 60 odds export units, nearly out of which 38 are in UP, and many are being closed. Is the government really concerned about it?" Asaduddin asked.

In an attempt to corner the government over banning of illegal slaughter houses in UP,  the AIMIM chief sought an answer whether the Centre wants to promote export of buffalo meat or not.

Giving reply to Owaisi's query, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry (Independent Charge) Nirmala Sitharaman said only illegal slaughter houses are being asked to shut down.

Further clearing the doubts of the AIMIM chief, Sitharaman stated that UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has categorically stated that the UP administration is only acting against illegal meat shops.

To the question on China, the BJP leader said, “Not only buffalo meat, but Beijing doesn't allows many other Indian items to be imported into the country.”

“The government is in touch with Chinese authorities on the particular issue so that legitimate export items from India find access in China,” Sitharaman said.