The Ministry of Environment and Forests have come up with new regulations that bans the sale of cattle for slaughter.

• The central regulation for cow protection has been notified at the backdrop of rising cases of violence against cow traders by Hindu vigilante groups.
• The rules have been notified under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960.
• Slaughter of cows are banned in most parts of the country except parts of the north-east India and Kerala.
• The new rules will be implemented in the next three months. Across India, the cattle trade is permitted only among farm land owners.
• Cattle can be only sold to a person possessing documents that he is an agriculturist. As per the new regulations, cattle bought cannot be resold within six months.
• Young and unfit animals cannot be traded. Animal markets cannot be set up within 50 km of an international border and 25 km of a state border.
• Transporting cattle outside of the country will require special approval of the state government nominee.

All animal markets has to run with the approval of district animal market committee to be headed by a magistrate. The committee will also have two representatives from government-approved animal welfare groups.