KATHMANDU: The government has initiated the process of amending the 25-year-old Slaughterhouse and Meat Inspection Act, 2055 with a proposal to tighten meat quality regulation and significantly increase penalties for violations.

The proposed Slaughterhouse and Meat Inspection (First Amendment) Bill, 2082 seeks to bring fish under the scope of the law, expand regulation to processed meat products and strengthen inspection and monitoring mechanisms.

The bill also gives local governments the authority to appoint meat inspectors and supervisors, a power previously held only by the federal and provincial governments.
Under the proposal, operating a slaughterhouse without a license, selling meat from diseased animals or mislabeling meat products would attract fines ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 100,000. Other violations, including slaughter without health inspection or sale of prohibited meat, could result in fines of Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000.

The amendment further requires licensing for slaughterhouses and meat sellers, mandatory inspection before and after slaughter, official stamping of approved meat and stricter control against adulteration.

The Ministry of Agriculture said the bill is currently under discussion based on stakeholder feedback and will be sent to the Ministry of Law for further review before being forwarded to the Cabinet. The government says the amendment is aimed at improving meat safety, consumer health protection and regulation of Nepal’s growing meat market.