Meat market to be strictly regulated

KATHMANDU, Nov 5: The chaotic meat market of the metropolis is finally set to become more systematic, as Kathmandu Metropolitan city (KMC) has decided to adopt strict regulatory measures.



A public notice issued by KMC on Friday has directed meat traders to register their shops within 10 days from Sunday. According to KMC, about 95 percent of meat shops in Kathmandu have not taken permission to operate their business. [break]



KMC says that stern action will be taken against butcher shops that breach government regulations. More than 1,500 such shops are operating in the metropolis.



"For implementation of the Meat Inspection Act, we have asked traders to register their shops," Chief of Public Health Department of KMC, Dr Baburam Gautam, said adding, "Unregistered shops will be shut down." He said that security personal of KMC will shut down the errant shops.



"The unregistered meat shops are all illegal and they are not paying any tax to the government," Dr Gautam said.



He said meat displayed openly at roadsides is unhygienic and poses a risk to public health. KMC has directed its security personal to prohibit traders from putting up slaughtered carcasses for sale in open spaces.



"We can see the meat covered by a mess of flies, with the owners hovering over it to scatter the flies," Gautam said adding, "Such meat is a public health hazard."



KMC has asked meat traders to come to Rastriya Sabha Griha for registration of their businesses. KMC has decided to mobilize additional staff to provide licenses to hundred of traders at one go.



"Registration will help us bring traders under government regulation," Gautam stated, adding that traders will also get subsidies from KMC to bring their shops up to standard. KMC says various associations of meat traders are coordinating with KMC to bring the sector under regulation.



"We have demanded exposure visits and training from the government," chief of Meat Traders Association Dinesh Sahi said. Sahi said that traders are also seeking government support to upgrade their shops.



Due to lack of appropriate slaughtering techniques, consumers are compelled to buy contaminated meat. KMC says traders will get equipment like boots, gloves, knives, refrigerators, digital weighing machines and other equipment.

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