Question : ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON MEAT PRODUCTS

(a) whether the Government has constituted an Advisory Committee on Meat Products as per Meat Food Products Order, 1973;

(b) if so, whether the Government has conducted talks with the representatives of the said industry;

(c) if so, whether the Government has conducted consultations with technical experts to sort out the problems of Meat Producers during 2004-05;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) if so, whether the Government has provided any incentives to meat producers for increasing the production of meat products;

(f) if so, the details thereof; and

(g) if not, the reasons therefore?

THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI SUBODH KANT SAHAI)

(a) (b) & (c): The Meat Food Products advisory committee has been reconstituted in July, 2004 and its has held two meetings during 2004-05.

(d), (e) (f) & (g): There is no provision for giving incentives for increasing the production of Meat Food Products under MFPO’1973. However, under the Plan Schemes of the Ministry, financial assistance is provided for Technology up-gradation/establishment/modernization of food processing industries. This includes Meat Food Products manufacturers also. The quantum of assistance is 25% of the cost of Plant & Machinery and Technical civil works subject to a maximum of Rs. 50 lakhs in General Areas and 33% upto 75 lakhs in Difficult Areas.

Grant-in-aid of 25% of the cost of plant & machinery and technical civil works in General Areas and 33.33% in Difficult Areas, subject to a maximum Rs. 4 Crores, is also provided to the local bodies for modernizing abattoirs.