Question : LIFTING OF BAN ON TRANSPORT OF CATTLE

(a) whether Government has recently lifted the ban on transport of cattle on trains all over the country; and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI R. VELU)

(a)&(b): Transportation of livestock by the Indian Railways is done as per the provision of Transport of Animals Rules, 1978 and Transport of Animals (Amendment) Rules, 2001, issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India. In January 2002, Animal Welfare Board of India, intimated about certain additional conditionalities for transportation of livestock which were impracticable. Hence it was decided by the Ministry of Railways to operationally restrict transportation of livestock from 17.6.02. Matter was taken up with the Ministry of Environment and Forests (the nodal Ministry). The Animal Welfare Board of India subsequently issued clarifications in July 2004 and the mandatory stipulations advised earlier in January 2002 were made recommendatory. It was, therefore, decided by the Ministry of Railways to remove restriction on booking of livestock, imposed on 17.6.2002. Accordingly instructions to the Zonal Railways were issued on 14.7.2004 for transportation of cattle by the freight Trains.