‘Is chicken an animal or a bird?; Gujarat govt gives reply in High Court

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat government has answered the question whether chicken is an animal or a bird. The government informed the court that chicken is treated as an animal under the Food Safety and Standards Act. The court had earlier sought government opinion on this matter.

The Animal Welfare Foundation and Ahimsa Maha Sangh had approached the High Court seeking a ban on the slaughter of chickens in shops. The petition also states that chickens should be slaughtered in slaughterhouses.

Alleging violations of the law, the local bodies across the state had recently inspected meat shops. Poultry traders’ association has come forward against this and filed a petition. A division bench comprising of Justice NV Anjaria and Justice Niral Mehta is hearing the petitions.

While explaining the petitions, government pleader Manisha Lavkumar clarified that chickens fall under animal category in the act. The lawyer also informed that fish is not included in this category. According to this, if the High Court orders that the chicken should be treated as an animal, then the chicken can be slaughtered only in slaughterhouses. This will adversely affect poultry farmers and poultry shops.

Advocate Kavina who represented chicken shops, stated that slaughtering chickens at slaughterhouses is not practical. “Veterinary doctor’s certification is required before slaughter of animals. How is it be possible in case of chickens?”, asked Kavina.