KOTTAYAM: As the District Panchayat decision to make the beef price Rs.320 uniform across the district did not materialize, the price of beef is shooting up. Last week, the price of buffalo meat was Rs.380 and now it is Rs.400. The District Panchayat had decided to make the price of beef uniform. In nearby districts the rate is Rs.280. Following bird flu the demand for chicken and duck went down and the demand for beef rose.

The slaughter houses are mostly working unscientifically without following the guidelines. Though they have license, the change of meat is done without following any guidelines. After showing buffalo meat the meat of ox is given instead. Big lobbyists slaughter the cattle and distribute it to shops in the villages. The current price itself brings in huge profits, but still the traders try to raise the price.

Small slaughter shops in the village areas have disappeared. The buffaloes grown here do not get enough price. This is because cattle, which are cheap from other states are imported here which do not have quality. They are mostly traded here.